Radiotherapy Research - Cancer treatment, Side effects

Radiotherapy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Radiotherapy, including details on cancer treatment, side effects.


Radiotherapy Research Today

Home

View Latest Issue

Information About Radiotherapy

Books on Radiotherapy

Advertising in Research Today

View Other Research Today Publications



High-dose-rate intensity-modulated brachytherapy with external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer: California endocurietherapy's 10-year results.

Demanes DJ, Rodriguez RR, Schour L, Brandt D, Altieri G

California Endocurietherapy Cancer Center, Oakland, CA, USA. jdemanes@cetmc.com

PURPOSE: To present the long-term outcome and morbidity of high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) combined with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for localized prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between September 1991 and December 1998, 209 consecutive patients with no prior androgen suppression were treated with HDR-BT plus EBRT. The median follow-up was 7.25 years (range, 5-12 years). The patients were stratified into three risk groups: low (Stage T2a or less, Gleason score </=6, and prostate-specific antigen [PSA] level </=10 ng/mL), intermediate (Stage T2b,c, Gleason score 7, and PSA level 10-20 ng/mL), and high (Stage T3, Gleason score 8-10, and PSA level >20). Four definitions of PSA progression were compared with the general clinical failure outcome: the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) definition, nadir plus 2.0 ng/mL, two consecutive rises >/=0.5 ng/mL, and PSA level >0.2 ng/mL. Morbidity was scored using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. RESULTS: The general clinical control rate was 90% (188 of 209), and the general clinical failure rate was 10% (21 of 209). The overall survival rate was 79%, and the cause-specific survival rate was 97%. The PSA progression-free survival (ASTRO definition) rate was 90%, 87%, and 69% for the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively. The nadir plus 2 ng/mL and two rises >/=0.5 definitions correlated better with the actual clinical outcome than did the ASTRO and PSA >0.2 ng/mL definitions. The rate of Grade 3 and 4 late urinary morbidity was 6.7% and 1%, respectively, mostly occurring in patients who had undergone post-RT transurethral prostate resection. No late Grade 3 or 4 rectal morbidity developed. The sexual potency preservation rate was 67%. CONCLUSION: Our 10-year results have demonstrated HDR-BT plus EBRT is a proven treatment for all stages of localized prostate cancer. The morbidity was low, but post-RT transurethral resection should be avoided.

Published 8 April 2005 in Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 61(5): 1306-16.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

Place a permanent text-link or advertisement here for just US$15.

© 2004-2008 Radiotherapy Research Today. All Rights Reserved.



Radiotherapy Research Today Archive:

Volume 1 (2004)
  Issue 1 (August)
  Issue 2 (September)
  Issue 3 (October)
  Issue 4 (November)
  Issue 5 (December)

Volume 2 (2005)
  Issue 1 (January)
  Issue 2 (February)
  Issue 3 (March)
  Issue 4 (April)
  Issue 5 (May)
  Issue 6 (June)
  Issue 7 (July)
  Issue 8 (August)
  Issue 9 (September)
  Issue 10 (October)
  Issue 11 (November)
  Issue 12 (December)

Volume 3 (2006)
  Issue 1 (January)
  Issue 2 (February)
  Issue 3 (March)
  Issue 4 (April)
  Issue 5 (May)
  Issue 6 (June)
  Issue 7 (July)
  Issue 8 (August)
  Issue 9 (September)
  Issue 10 (October)
  Issue 11 (November)
  Issue 12 (December)

Volume 4 (2007)
  Issue 1 (January)
  Issue 2 (February)
  Issue 3 (March)
  Issue 4 (April)
  Issue 5 (May)
  Issue 6 (June)
  Issue 7 (July)
  Issue 8 (August)
  Issue 9 (September)
  Issue 10 (October)
  Issue 11 (November)
  Issue 12 (December)

Volume 5 (2008)
  Issue 1 (January)
  Issue 2 (February)
  Issue 3 (March)
  Issue 4 (April)
  Issue 5 (May)
  Issue 6 (June)
  Issue 7 (July)
  Issue 8 (August)



Radiotherapy Books

Textbook of Radiation Oncology

Textbook of Radiation Oncology