Evaluation and management of urinary retention after pelvic radiation therapy: a narrative review

Abstract

: Pelvic radiotherapy for the treatment of malignancy is known to cause unintended urinary toxicity including urinary retention and urethral stricture disease (USD). In the treatment of prostate cancer with radiotherapy, the reported rate of USD is between 1.7–5.2% while urinary toxicity has been reported in as high as 16% of patients that undergo radiotherapy for the treatment of rectal cancer. The purpose of this review article is to evaluate literature regarding the role of pelvic radiotherapy in causing urinary retention and to discuss the unique treatment considerations for urinary retention in the irradiated man ranging from urinary catheter placement to transurethral dilation (UD) to open surgical repair.