Recto-urethral fistula following brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer

Radiation-induced Fistulas in Patients With Prior Pelvic Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To systematically aggregate and summarize existing data on fistula prevalence among patients with a history of pelvic radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We queried PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science on October 7, 2020 for peer-reviewed publications pertaining to radiation-induced fistulas in the pelvis. For meta-analysis, we used the random-effects model. We used the I2 statistic to quantify heterogeneity and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to assess risk of bias.

RESULTS

Our final meta-analysis included 6 cohort studies with a total of 7665 patients exposed to pelvic radiotherapy between 1967 and 2013. Median follow-up time was 35.5 months (IQR 33.5-57.5). Pooled prevalence of radiation-induced fistula across all 6 cohort studies was 0.2% (95% CI: 0.1-0.4, I2 = 0.000%, P < .608). In subgroup analysis, we did not detect significant heterogeneity in fistula prevalence in patients who were re-irradiated (0.3%, 95% CI: 0.1-0.4; P = .762) or patients on concurrent chemotherapy (0.4%, 95% CI: -0.3 -1.2; P = .664) compared to those receiving their first course of radiotherapy alone. No randomized controlled trials met inclusion criteria due to ambiguous and inconsistent reporting language for fistula occurrence.

CONCLUSION

There is limited published literature reporting fistula as an adverse event of prostate cancer radiotherapy, especially in the medium and long-term period. Patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy for prostate cancer appear at low short-term risk for developing fistulas. Adverse event reporting in randomized controlled trials merits greater granularity where fistulas should be reported with specificity rather than aggregating into broad categories of genitourinary or gastrointestinal adverse events.

Rectourethral fistula after external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer in a patient with thromboangiitis obliterans: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is a rare disease of unknown cause that causes segmental vasculitis in peripheral blood vessels. It is uncertain whether its presence causes serious adverse events in patients receiving external beam radiotherapy.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 73-year-old Japanese man with prostate cancer underwent external beam radiotherapy.

DIAGNOSIS

After completion of radiotherapy, fingertip pain occurred, leading to the diagnosis of TAO.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was instructed to stop smoking, but was unable to do so.

OUTCOMES

Nine months after the completion of radiotherapy, fecaluria appeared, and a rectourethral fistula was diagnosed by contrast enema. The patient's TAO was poorly controlled, and the patient died from aspiration pneumonia 33 months after completion of the radiotherapy regimen. No tumor recurrence was observed during this process, and there were no risk factors other than TAO that may have formed a rectourethral fistula.

LESSONS

This is the first report of rectourethral fistula caused by external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer in which TAO was suspected to be involved. Although little is known about the relationship between TAO and radiotherapy, it should be noted that radiotherapy itself may increase the risk of normal tissue toxicity in patients with TAO.

A Case of Traumatic Catheterisation leading to Rectal Perforation and Periprostatic Abscess

A 79-year-old gentleman presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with catheter-related issues on a background of a long-term catheter for previous urinary retention, Hartmann's procedure for colorectal cancer, and brachytherapy for prostate cancer. A 3-way silicone catheter was placed by ED staff and bladder irrigation commenced. The urine draining following catheterisation was found to be dark and thick, and irrigation fluid was noted to be draining per rectum. CT imaging was performed and demonstrated the catheter tip extending through the posterior wall of the urethra and into the rectum. The patient was admitted under the urology team, and urinary diversion was achieved with a suprapubic catheter. Subsequent imaging demonstrated a periprostatic abscess, which was initially managed with antimicrobial therapy, followed by attempted image-guided drainage. Repeat imaging following a 6-week course of antibiotics failed to show an improvement in the collection. During his inpatient stay, he contracted COVID-19 and passed away suddenly. This case demonstrates the potential catastrophic consequences associated with urethral catheterisation.

Surgical management of acquired rectourethral fistula: a retrospective analysis of 52 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND

Acquired rectourethral fistula (RUF) is an uncommon complication mostly resulting from surgery or radiation. Standardization of the surgical management is lacking. The aim of this study was to report our experience with surgery for RUF.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of a prospectively maintained clinical database. The surgical strategy was tailored to complexity of RUF, presence of sepsis, history of radiation and residual urinary/fecal functionality. Outcomes measured were RUF closure and permanent fecal/urinary diversion. Impact of radiotherapy was also assessed.

RESULTS

Between November 2002 and January 2019, 52 patients were identified (100% males). Median follow-up was 10.5 (0.5-16.8) years. Three patients had RUF closure after conservative management. The remaining 49 patients had a total of 76 procedures. The cumulative closure rate after the first, second and third attempt was 55.1%, 85.7% and 95.9%, respectively. Fistula closure together with preservation of the fecal and urinary function was achieved in 49%, 65.3% and 67.3% after the first, second and third repair, respectively. The overall success rate for transanal, transperineal, restorative transabdominal and non-restorative transabdominal procedures was 35.7%, 64.3%, 57.1% and 94.1%, respectively. A significantly higher rate of urinary/intestinal stomas was observed in the irradiated vs non-irradiated patients (84.2% vs 42.4%; p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery ensured healing in 96% of the patients. Radiotherapy led to higher rate of permanent urinary/fecal diversion. Nearly all irradiated patients who had transabdominal repair end up with a definitive stoma. When transperineal repair with gracilis flap interposition was used, the rate of fistula closure approached 90%. A treatment algorithm is proposed.

[Fistula surgery]

Vesicovaginal fistulas are a rare problem in the western world but are frequent occurrences in developing countries. In Germany the most frequent cause is hysterectomy. Vesicovaginal fistulas can be treated by the transvaginal or transabdominal approach depending on the characteristics of the fistula and the patient. The incidence and complexity of urorectal fistulas increase with the number of cumulative sequences of prostate cancer treatment. Overall there is no clear consensus about the optimal surgical approach route. The surgical treatment of both vesicovaginal and urorectal fistulas is associated with high permanent fistula closure rates; however, for both entities if the fistula is discovered early enough, conservative treatment with a temporary catheter drainage can be tried, depending on the underlying cause. For both conditions fistula repair in irradiated patients shows a much lower success rate. A spontaneous closure of fistulas in radiogenic fistulas is also not to be expected.

Rectal adenocarcinoma with rectoprostatic fistula following prostate brachytherapy

An 80-year-old man with history of prostate cancer successfully treated with brachytherapy was initially thought to have Fournier's gangrene until imaging detected a rectoprostatic fistula. Although this is known to be a rare complication of prostate brachytherapy, in this case the aetiology was a new primary rectal adenocarcinoma. It was not possible to catheterise per urethra owing to the fistula, so he was fitted with suprapubic catheter, and underwent palliative loop colostomy. Brachytherapy carries a low risk of second primary cancers, although two previous cases reported such cancers as radiation induced. This is, to our knowledge, the first case of rectal adenocarcinoma following prostate brachytherapy in the literature.

Radiation-Induced Problems in Colorectal Surgery

Radiotherapy not only plays a pivotal role in the cancer care pathways of many patients with pelvic malignancies, but can also lead to significant injury of normal tissue in the radiation field (pelvic radiation disease) that is sometimes as challenging to treat as the neoplasms themselves. Acute symptoms are usually self-limited and respond to medical therapy. Chronic symptoms often require operative intervention that is made hazardous by hostile surgical planes and unforgiving tissues. Management of these challenging patients is best guided by the utmost caution and humility.

Rectal Ulcers and Rectoprostatic Fistulas after (125)I Low Dose Rate Prostate Brachytherapy

PURPOSE

Radiation induced rectal ulcers and fistulas are rare but significant complications of low dose rate prostate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. We describe the incidence of ulcers and fistulas, and associated risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the records of 4,690 patients with localized prostate cancer who were treated with low dose rate (125)I prostate brachytherapy to a dose of 144 Gy with or without 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy. Patient, disease, comorbidity, treatment, dosimetric and posttreatment intervention factors were analyzed for an association with ulcer or fistula formation.

RESULTS

At a median followup of 53 months 21 cases were identified, including 15 rectal ulcer cases, of which 6 progressed to fistulas, and an additional 6 cases of fistulas with no prior documented ulcers. Overall 9 rectal ulcer cases (0.19%) and 12 fistula cases (0.26%) were identified. In 8 of 15 patients ulcers healed with conservative management. No fistulas healed without surgical management. Two patients with fistulas died. Eight patients diagnosed with rectal ulcers subsequently underwent rectal biopsies, after which fistulas developed in 3. One patient with a de novo fistula underwent a preceding biopsy. Urinary interventions such as transurethral resection of the prostate were performed after brachytherapy in 5 of 12 patients with fistulas compared to 0 of 9 with ulcers alone. Argon plasma coagulation of the rectum for hematochezia was performed after brachytherapy in 3 of 12 patients with fistulas.

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of post-brachytherapy rectal ulcers and fistulas are low as previously described. Post-brachytherapy interventions such as rectal biopsy, argon coagulation and urinary intervention may increase the risk of fistulas.

Radiation proctopathy

Radiation therapy is a widely utilized treatment modality for pelvic malignancies, including prostate cancer, rectal cancer, and cervical cancer. Given its fixed position in the pelvis, the rectum is at a high risk for injury secondary to ionizing radiation. Despite advances made in radiation science, up to 75% of the patients will suffer from acute radiation proctitis and up to 20% may experience chronic symptoms. Symptoms can be variable and include diarrhea, bleeding, incontinence, and fistulization. A multitude of treatment options exist. This article summarizes the latest knowledge relating to radiation proctopathy focusing on the vast array of treatment options.

Severe rectal complications after prostate brachytherapy

PURPOSE

Some investigators have reported severe rectal complications after brachytherapy. Due to the low number of such events, their relationship to dosimetric parameters has not been well characterized.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 3126 patients were treated with low dose rate brachytherapy from 1998 through 2010. 2464 had implant alone, and 313 had implant preceded by 44-46Gy supplemental external beam radiation (EBRT). Post-implant dosimetry was based on a CT scan obtained on the day of implant, generally within 30min of the procedure. Every patient's record was reviewed for occurrence of rectal complications.

RESULTS

Eight of 2464 patients (0.32%) treated with brachytherapy alone developed a radiation-related rectal fistula. Average prostatic and rectal dose parameters were moderately higher for fistula patients than for patients without a severe rectal complication. For instance, the average R100 was 1.2±0.75cc for fistula patients, versus 0.37±0.88cc for non-fistula patients. However, the fistula patients' values were well within the range of values for patients without a rectal complication. Four patients had some attempt at repair or reconstruction, but long-term functional outcomes were not favorable.

CONCLUSIONS

Rectal fistulas are a very uncommon potential complication of prostate brachytherapy, which can occur even in the setting of acceptable day 0 rectal doses. Their occurrence is not easily explained by standard dosimetric or clinical factors.

Acquired recto-uretral fistulas: etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutic options

Rectouretral fistulas are a rare disease, but represent an important problem for the patient that suffers them and a challenge for the urologist and colorectal surgeon who has to manage them. A wide review has been performed focusing on etiopathogenic factors, diagnostic and therapeutic options including the analysis of different surgical techniques. PubMed, MEDLINE y EMBASE medical database were searched up to September 2014.

Management of post-radiation therapy complications among prostate cancer patients: A case series

INTRODUCTION

Treating prostate cancer with radiation therapy (RT) is a viable option, albeit with its own profile of complications. We describe a unique Canadian report of a single surgeon (RJB) experience in the management of complex post-prostate cancer RT complications.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients who had previously received external beam radiation (XRT) or brachytherapy (BT) for prostate cancer referred to a single surgeon for persistent urologic related difficulties between 2005 and 2010. We used the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) morbidity grading system to assign each patient a 1 to 5 grade for their greatest complication.

RESULTS

In total, 15 patients were identified with a total of 43 RT-related complications. Of these 43 complications, 19 presented with obstruction, 8 with radiation failure or new bladder cancer, 6 with hematuria, 5 with intractable incontinence, and 5 with urinary tract infections. These patients required several investigations prior to treatment. Treatment of these complications used surgical, local and medical approaches. In the end, 1 patient had total incontinence, 3 improved their incontinence, 3 had self-catheterization and dilation, 1 voided well, 3 underwent cystectomy with ileo-conduits, 2 had chronic hematuria, and 2 passed away.

CONCLUSION

These patients are heavily investigated and require significant resources, including patient visits, diagnostics and treatment modalities to optimize their condition. Cure is not always possible, but the aim to improve quality of life should guide management.

Three distinct urethral fistulae 35 years after pelvic radiation

Introduction:

While the development of fistulae is a well-known complication of radiotherapy, such fistulae can often be challenging to manage.

Case Presentation:

We describe the case of a 37 year old male who developed in succession a urethrocutaneous fistula to the thigh, a rectourethral fistula and a peritoneo-urethral fistula 35 years after radiotherapy for pediatric pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma. These complications were managed successfully after multiple surgical procedures.

Discussion:

We subsequently discuss the different approaches currently employed for the management of radiation induced urinary fistulas and describe the rationale behind our approach towards their surgical management.

Penile necrosis requiring penectomy complicating recto-urethral fistula post prostate cancer external beam radiation and brachytherapy

Radiation therapy is a well-recognized treatment for unfavourable risk localized prostate cancer. Radiation induced recto-urethral fistulae are known rare complications particularly from brachytherapy. We report a case of a recto-urethral fistula 7 years post-external beam radiation and I-125 brachytherapy, which was complicated by a severe polymicrobial soft tissue infection. This infection required penectomy and pelvic exenteration with diverting colostomy, Indiana pouch urinary diversion and gracilis myo-cutaneuos flap closure of the perineum.

Impact of radiotherapy on surgical repair and outcome in patients with rectourethral fistula

AIM

Most patients presenting with rectourethral fistula acquire it as a complication of radiotherapy for prostate cancer, as a result of injury to the rectum during prostatectomy, through trauma or from Crohn's disease. This study examined whether choice of operation and results of surgery for rectourethral fistula are influenced by prior radiotherapy.

METHOD

Male patients undergoing surgery for rectourethral fistula were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Data regarding aetiology, surgical treatment and outcomes were analysed.

RESULTS

Fifty patients (median age = 65.5 years) were identified. Radiation was received by 29 patients for prostate or rectal cancer, and 21 patients developed a fistula following prostatectomy, Crohn's disease or pelvic fracture (without radiation). Prior to definitive surgery, 30 patients underwent fecal diversion and 37 underwent urinary diversion. In total, 57 repairs were performed (44 patients had one repair, five patients had two and one patient had three). Definitive surgery was approached predominantly abdominally in radiated patients (90.6 vs 9.3%, P < 0.001) and perineally in nonradiated patients (80 vs 20%, P < 0.001). Successful primary fistula repair was more frequent in the nonradiated group compared with the radiated group (80.9 vs 0%, P < 0.001). Permanent colostomy and urinary diversion were more often required in radiated patients than in nonradiated patients (colostomy: 83 vs 0%, P < 0.001; urorostomy: 100 vs 19%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Few patients with radiation-induced rectourethral fistula avoid permanent colostomy and urostomy. In contrast, most patients with nonradiation-related fistulae undergo successful perineal repair without permanent faecal and urinary diversion.

Acquired rectourethral fistulas in adults: a systematic review of surgical repair techniques and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Rectourethral fistulas are uncommon. Retrospective studies and case reports have highlighted various approaches for surgical repair. Because clinical presentations and technical expertise vary widely, no single procedure has been universally adopted.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to qualitatively analyze studies describing surgical techniques and outcomes in adult acquired rectourethral fistulas to outline universal approaches for evaluation and management.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE (PubMed, Ovid) and the Cochrane Library were searched by using the terms rectourethral fistulas, recto-urethral fistulas, urethrorectal fistulas, and prostatourethral-rectal fistulas.

STUDY SELECTION

All studies were retrospective, in English, and reported at least 4 cases. Any series with >50% congenital cases or <50% adults (19+ years) was excluded. Of the 569 records identified, 26 articles were included.

INTERVENTION

The intervention was surgical repair of rectourethral fistula.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome measures were successful fistula closure, fistula recurrence or persistence, and permanent fecal and/or urinary diversion.

RESULTS

Four hundred sixteen patients were identified, including 169 (40%) who had previous pelvic irradiation and/or ablation. Most patients (90%) underwent 1 of 4 categories of repair: transanal (5.9%), transabdominal (12.5%), transsphincteric (15.7%), and transperineal (65.9%). Tissue interposition flaps, predominantly gracilis muscle, were used in 72% of repairs. The fistula was successfully closed in 87.5%. Overall permanent fecal and/or urinary diversion rates were 10.6% and 8.3%. Most high-volume centers (≥25 patients) performed transperineal repairs with tissue flaps in 100% of cases.

LIMITATIONS

This review was limited by the heterogeneity of repairs and bias toward preferred surgical approaches in single-center studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of complexity, rectourethral fistulas have an initial closure rate approaching 90% when the transperineal approach is used. Permanent fecal and/or urinary diversion should be a last resort in patients with devastated, nonfunctional fecal and urinary systems.

Gastrointestinal radiation injury: Symptoms, risk factors and mechanisms

Ionising radiation therapy is a common treatment modality for different types of cancer and its use is expected to increase with advances in screening and early detection of cancer. Radiation injury to the gastrointestinal tract is important factor working against better utility of this important therapeutic modality. Cancer survivors can suffer a wide variety of acute and chronic symptoms following radiotherapy, which significantly reduces their quality of life as well as adding an extra burden to the cost of health care. The accurate diagnosis and treatment of intestinal radiation injury often represents a clinical challenge to practicing physicians in both gastroenterology and oncology. Despite the growing recognition of the problem and some advances in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of radiation injury, relatively little is known about the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal radiation injury or any possible susceptibility factors that could aggravate its severity. The aims of this review are to examine the various clinical manifestations of post-radiation gastrointestinal symptoms, to discuss possible patient and treatment factors implicated in normal gastrointestinal tissue radiosensitivity and to outline different mechanisms of intestinal tissue injury.

Gastrointestinal radiation injury: Prevention and treatment

With the recent advances in detection and treatment of cancer, there is an increasing emphasis on the efficacy and safety aspects of cancer therapy. Radiation therapy is a common treatment for a wide variety of cancers, either alone or in combination with other treatments. Ionising radiation injury to the gastrointestinal tract is a frequent side effect of radiation therapy and a considerable proportion of patients suffer acute or chronic gastrointestinal symptoms as a result. These side effects often cause morbidity and may in some cases lower the efficacy of radiotherapy treatment. Radiation injury to the gastrointestinal tract can be minimised by either of two strategies: technical strategies which aim to physically shift radiation dose away from the normal intestinal tissues, and biological strategies which aim to modulate the normal tissue response to ionising radiation or to increase its resistance to it. Although considerable improvement in the safety of radiotherapy treatment has been achieved through the use of modern optimised planning and delivery techniques, biological techniques may offer additional further promise. Different agents have been used to prevent or minimize the severity of gastrointestinal injury induced by ionising radiation exposure, including biological, chemical and pharmacological agents. In this review we aim to discuss various technical strategies to prevent gastrointestinal injury during cancer radiotherapy, examine the different therapeutic options for acute and chronic gastrointestinal radiation injury and outline some examples of research directions and considerations for prevention at a pre-clinical level.

Outcome of a modified York Mason technique in men with iatrogenic urethrorectal fistula after radical prostatectomy

BACKGROUND

Urethrorectal fistula formation is a rare but devastating complication after radical prostatectomy. Reconstructive surgery is usually required, and one surgical option is the York Mason procedure.

OBJECTIVE

We present our experience with a modified York Mason technique for the surgical management of urethrorectal fistula.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of medical records.

SETTING

Tertiary care university medical center.

PATIENTS

Consecutive male patients with urethrorectal fistula due to radical prostatectomy who underwent York Mason repair between 1998 and 2009.

INTERVENTION

All patients initially received both a urinary and a bowel diversion as the first step of the treatment. The second step consisted of a modification of the York Mason technique in which the approach began with a parasacrococcygeal incision extending from the coccyx to the anal verge.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

All patients were seen 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery and yearly thereafter to assess the resolution of clinical functional disorders and the Wexner fecal incontinence score.

RESULTS

The study included 10 men with a mean age of 63.7 (range, 50-80) years who had urethrorectal fistula after open retropubic prostatectomy (n = 6) or after laparoscopic prostatectomy (n = 4). Confined prostate cancer (pT2) was found in 7 patients and extracapsular extension of the tumor (pT3) in 3 patients. Urethrorectal fistula was discovered because of fecaluria in 6 patients and pneumaturia in 6. The mean time from surgery to York Mason repair was 15 (range, 4-42) months. Five patients had each previously undergone 1 unsuccessful repair procedure. The mean operative time was 81 (range, 60-130) minutes and the mean hospital stay was 6 days. No fecal incontinence or anal stenosis developed after York Mason repair. No recurrence of urethrorectal fistula occurred during a mean follow-up of 24 (range, 18-38) months.

LIMITATIONS

Lack of objective fecal continence data.

CONCLUSIONS

: York Mason repair appears to be a safe and effective approach for management of urethrorectal fistula. The rates of fistula closure and symptom resolution are encouraging, and patients show rapid postoperative recovery with minimal morbidity. Thus, York Mason repair should always be considered for treatment of urethrorectal fistula after radical prostatectomy.

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.

Urinary side effects and complications after permanent prostate brachytherapy: the MD Anderson Cancer Center experience

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate acute and long-term urinary morbidity after permanent prostate brachytherapy at a single tertiary care center. To minimize the risk of long-term urinary morbidity, it is important for clinicians to be able to distinguish acute urinary side effects after prostate brachytherapy from longer-term treatment-related urinary complications.

METHODS

The medical records of 351 consecutive patients who underwent prostate brachytherapy at the MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1998 and 2006 were analyzed. To evaluate the short-term urinary side effects, the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire was administered at baseline and at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months. Long-term urinary complications were scored using a modified Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scale.

RESULTS

All 4 urinary subdomain scores evaluating acute urinary side effects after treatment (bother, function, incontinence, and irritation or obstruction) had returned to baseline levels by 8 months after implantation. At 5 years, the cumulative risks of late urinary complications by grade were 8.6% for grade 1 complications, 6.5% for grade 2, 1.7% for grade 3%, and 0.5% for grade 4. The most common grade 2 late urinary complications were urethral stricture (4 patients), incontinence requiring daily pads (3 patients), and intermittent hematuria (3 patients). Grade 3 complications were urinary retention requiring self-catheterization (2 patients) and severe frequency with dysuria (2 patients). The only grade 4 event was severe hemorrhagic cystitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term urinary side effects after prostate brachytherapy are common, follow a predictable course, and typically resolve within 1 year. Conservative management of short-term urinary side effects is recommended to minimize the risk of long-term urinary complications.