AIMS: High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy offers a highly conformal approach to radiotherapy delivery, enabling dose escalation.
We report our experience using a combined HDR boost and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) approach and its associated toxicity and effect on quality of life.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer were treated with a single fraction HDR boost and EBRT between July 2008 and March 2010. Patient-reported toxicity data were collected at baseline and regular intervals after radiotherapy using International Prostate Symptom Score and Late Effects in Normal Tissues-Subjective, Objective, Management and Analytic scales (LENT-SOMA) questionnaires; health-related quality of life data were captured by the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) questionnaire.
RESULTS: Ninety-five patients received an HDR boost of 12.5 Gy followed by EBRT delivered as 37.5 Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks. The International Prostate Symptom Score peaked 6 weeks after radiotherapy (median value: 9). The LENT-SOMA bladder/urethra mean baseline score was 0.35 and peaked 6 weeks after radiotherapy (mean = 0.59). Difficulties with urinary flow and frequency were the most common reported symptoms. LENT-SOMA rectum/bowel mean scores at baseline were 0.24 and peaked after 6 months (mean = 0.37). Bowel urgency was the most common reported toxicity. EPIC urinary scores returned to baseline values at 6 months and bowel median scores recovered after 24 months. There were no statistically significant associations between patient or dosimetric parameters and patient-reported outcomes.
CONCLUSION: A combined HDR boost and hypofractionated EBRT regimen offers a well-tolerated method of dose escalation with acceptable levels of patient-reported toxicity.
Written by:
Choudhury A, Arthur C, Malik J, Mandall P, Taylor C, Alam N, Tran A, Livsey J, Elliott T, Davidson S, Logue JP, Wylie J. Are you the author?
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Edinburgh Cancer Centre, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK.
Reference: Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2014 Jul 12. pii: S0936-6555(14)00266-0.
doi: 10.1016/j.clon.2014.06.012
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25027670
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