A new minimally invasive technique for treating radiation cystitis: the argon-beam coagulator.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the argon-beam coagulator used endoscopically for treating radiation cystitis, as radiotherapy is commonly used for treating pelvic tumours of urological origin, but intractable bleeding related to radiation cystitis remains a serious complication and requires a difficult long-term follow-up, for which cystoscopic methods of management have traditionally had limited success. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed seven patients with radiation cystitis; they were treated with argon-beam coagulation after a cystoscopic evaluation. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 15 months, one treatment was used in six patients, with a second treatment required in one. CONCLUSION: The argon-beam coagulator appears to be a safe, well tolerated and minimally invasive treatment in patients with radiation cystitis.