Transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy for carcinoma of the prostate

Low-dose rate brachytherapy for men with localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Localized prostate cancer is a slow growing tumor for many years for the majority of affected men. Low-dose rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) is short-distance radiotherapy using low-energy radioactive sources. LDR-BT has been recommended for men with low risk localized prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefit and harm of LDR-BT compared to radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), and no primary therapy (NPT) in men with localized prostatic cancer.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (from 1950), and EMBASE (from 1980) were searched in June 2010 as well as online trials registers and reference lists of reviews.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized, controlled trials comparing LDR-BT versus RP, EBRT, and NPT in men with clinically localized prostate cancer.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data on study methods, participants, treatment regimens, observation period and outcomes were recorded by two reviewers independently.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified only one RCT (N = 200; mean follow up 68 months). This trial compared LDR-BT and RP. The risk of bias was deemed high. Primary outcomes (overall survival, cause-specific mortality, or metastatic-free survival) were not reported. Biochemical recurrence-free survival at 5 years follow up was not significantly different between LDR-BT (78/85 (91.8%)) and RP (81/89 (91.0%)); P = 0.875; relative risk 0.92 (95% CI: 0.35 to 2.42).For severe adverse events reported at 6 months follow up, results favored LDR-BT for urinary incontinence (LDR-BT 0/85 (0.0%) versus RP 16/89 (18.0%); P < 0.001; relative risk 0) and favored RP for urinary irritation (LDR-BT 68/85 (80.0%) versus RP 4/89 (4.5%); P < 0.001; relative risk 17.80, 95% CI 6.79 to 46.66). The occurrence of urinary stricture did not significantly differ between the treatment groups (LDR-BT 2/85 (2.4%) versus RP 6/89 (6.7%); P = 0.221; relative risk 0.35, 95% CI: 0.07 to 1.68). Long-term information was not available.We did not identify significant differences of mean scores between treatment groups for patient-reported outcomes function and bother as well as generic health-related quality of life.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Low-dose rate brachytherapy did not reduce biochemical recurrence-free survival versus radical prostatectomy at 5 years. For short-term severe adverse events, low-dose rate brachytherapy was significantly more favorable for urinary incontinence, but radical prostatectomy was significantly more favorable for urinary irritation. Evidence is based on one RCT with high risk of bias.

The influence of isotope and prostate volume on urinary morbidity after prostate brachytherapy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the influence of isotope and prostate size on International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) normalization, catheter dependency, and the need for surgical intervention secondary to bladder outlet obstruction after prostate brachytherapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between January 1998 and June 2003, 976 consecutive patients underwent brachytherapy for clinical stage T1b-T3a (2002 American Joint Committee on Cancer) prostate cancer. Seven hundred eighty-nine (80.8%) were implanted with 103Pd and 187 (19.2%) with 125I. The median follow-up was 41.2 months. Patients were stratified into size cohorts < or = 25 cm3, 25.1-35 cm3, 35.1-45 cm3, and >45 cm3. Four hundred eighteen patients (42.8%) received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Four hundred eighty-six patients (49.7%) received supplemental external-beam radiation therapy (XRT). In all patients, an alpha blocker was initiated before implantation and continued at least until the IPSS returned to baseline. IPSS resolution was defined as a return to within one point of baseline. The median number of IPSS determinations per patient was 21. Clinical, treatment, and dosimetric parameters evaluated included patient age, pretreatment PSA, Gleason score, clinical T stage, percent positive biopsies, preimplant IPSS, ultrasound volume, planning volume, isotope, V(100/150/200), D(90), urethral dose (average and maximum), supplemental XRT, ADT, and the duration of ADT (< or = 6 months vs. >6 months). Catheter dependency and the need for postsurgical intervention were also evaluated.

RESULTS

For both isotopes and all prostate size cohorts, IPSS peaked 1 month after implantation and returned to baseline at a mean of 1.9 months. Stratification of prostate size cohorts by isotope demonstrated no significant differences in prolonged catheter dependency (> or = 5 days), IPSS resolution, or postimplant surgical intervention. In Cox regression analysis, IPSS normalization was best predicted by preimplant IPSS, XRT, and any need for a catheter after brachytherapy. Catheter dependency correlated with prostate size and ADT, whereas the need for surgical intervention was most closely related to any catheter dependency, maximum urethral dose, ADT, and maximum IPSS increase.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of prostate size, isotope did not impact IPSS resolution, catheter dependency, or the need for postbrachytherapy surgical intervention. Although prostate size did predict for short-term (<5 days) catheter dependency, it did not influence IPSS resolution or the need for surgical intervention.

The Impact of Prostate Volume and Neoadjuvant Androgen-Deprivation Therapy on Urinary Function Following Prostate Brachytherapy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the impact of prostate size and the magnitude of cytoreduction after neoadjuvant androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) on catheter dependency, urinary symptomatology, and need for postbrachytherapy surgical intervention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From February 1998 to August 2002, 186 consecutive patients under went monotherapeutic brachytherapy (no supplemental external-beam radiotherapy or ADT), and 101 consecutive patients received < or = 6 months of ADT (a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist and an anti-androgen) in conjunction with brachytherapy without supplemental external-beam radiotherapy for clinical Tlc-T2b (2002 American Joint Committee on Cancer) prostate cancer. ADT was initiated approximately 3 months before brachytherapy. The median follow-up was 38.6 months. An alpha-blocker was initiated before implantation and continued at least until the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) returned to baseline levels. Evaluated parameters included patient age, pretreatment prostate-specific antigen, Gleason score, clinical T stage, preimplantation IPSS, ultrasound volume, hormonal status, isotope, D(90), V(100/150/200), and urethral dose (average and maximum).

RESULTS

Patients receiving neoadjuvant ADT were statistically older, presented with higher preimplantation IPSS scores, and larger prostate volumes. Patients receiving ADT were likelier to require a urinary catheter for the first 3 days after implantation; however, by day 4, no statistical difference in catheter dependency could be discerned between the two cohorts. Hormonal status did not predict for postbrachytherapy surgical intervention. IPSS returned to baseline at a mean of 1.8 and 1.7 months in hormone-naive and ADT patients, respectively. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the preimplantation IPSS and the maximum postimplantation IPSS predicted for IPSS normalization overall and in both cohorts. Ultrasound prostate volume did not predict for IPSS normalization, catheter dependency, or need for postimplantation surgical intervention.

CONCLUSION

Although patients receiving ADT were likelier to require a urinary catheter for the first three days after implantation, hormonal manipulation did not affect IPSS normalization, prolonged catheter dependency, or need for postbrachytherapy surgical intervention in these patients treated with brachytherapy without supplemental external-beam radiotherapy.