CLINICAL EXPERIENCE OF USING BRACHYTHERAPY WITH HIGH DOSE RATE SOURCES FOR MONOTHERAPY IN PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS

Abstract

The aim of the study: to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of interstitial high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy when it was used as monotherapy for low-, intermediate risk prostate cancer. Material and methods: 198 primary patients with low-, intermediate risk prostate cancer that were treated from 1.07.2012 to 01.07.2017 were included in the study. Two fractions of 13Gy were used in 67 men, 3 fractions of 11.5Gy -in the remaining 131 patients. The reported end points were overall/cancer-specific survival, biochemical control rates according to Phoenix definition. Toxicity was scored according to the RTOG scale. Results: The median follow-up time was 28.7 [19.3; 36.6] (10.9-58.9) months. The 3-year biochemical control (nadir+2) was reached in 94.1% cases. Late grade III genito-urinary toxicity was represented by urethral strictures in 1.6% of evaluated patients. Grade III rectal toxicity was not mentioned. IIEF score before treatment was below 16 in 28.8% patients and after brachytherapy - in 52.9% cases. Conclusion: high dose rate brachytherapy can be effectively and safely used for monotherapy of patients with low-, intermediate risk prostate cancer.