Modeling and Treatment of Radiation Cystitis

Radiation cystitis (RC) is a debilitating condition that, if not managed at an early stage, can have a major impact on the quality of life of a patient and can lead to severe hemorrhaging and even death. Current treatments are focused on arresting bladder hemorrhaging, but none are able to relieve other urological symptoms associated with cystitis. There is a strong need for in-depth studies using preclinical RC models to better understand the underlying disease progression and to test novel therapies. Here we review the most commonly used therapies for RC, novel treatment strategies, and the preclinical models used to date.