The use of HDR brachytherapy (HDR-BT) as monotherapy for prostate cancer (PC) is increasing worldwide with good tumour control rates and acceptable toxicity. We report our results on toxicity and quality of life (QoL) after HDR-BT monotherapy for PC patients.
166 low- and intermediate-risk localized PC patients were treated with HDR-BT to a total dose of 38Gy in four fractions. Genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities were prospectively assessed using EORTC-RTOG questionnaires and physicians charts. QoL was evaluated using EORTC QLQ-PR25 questionnaires.
Three months after treatment, acute GU and GI toxicities were reported in 10. 8% and 7. 2%. Acute toxicity resolved within two months in the majority of patients (61%). Late grade ⩾2 GU and GI toxicity were reported in 19. 7% and 3. 3% of patients 12months after HDR-BT. Mean QLQ-PR25 scores showed clinically relevant changes from baseline for urinary symptoms and sexual functioning. With a mean follow-up of 35months, biochemical failure was observed in 2. 4%. Overall survival at 60months was 93. 6% and cancer-specific survival was 100%.
HDR-BT monotherapy for localized PC showed excellent clinical outcome and acceptable acute and late toxicity. Urinary symptoms and sexual function QoL decreased after treatment.
Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. 2015 Sep 22 [Epub ahead of print]
Shafak Aluwini, Wendy M H Busser, Wendimagegn Ghidey Alemayehu, Joost L Boormans, Wim J Kirkels, Peter P Jansen, John O Praag, Chris H Bangma, Inger-Karine K Kolkman-Deurloo
Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. , Clinical Trial Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. , Department of Urology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. , Department of Urology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. , Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. , Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. , Department of Urology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. , Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.