Brachytherapy in early stage prostate cancer: an average of 7-year follow-up

Abstract

Objective To investigate the long-term efficacy and complications of brachytherapy in early stage prostate cancer.Methods The data of 117 cases of early stage prostate cancer patients were analyzed,aged from 51 to 84 years,with an average of 73 years.The PSA ranged from 0.4 to 47.6 μg/L (14.7 in average),Gleason score ranged from 4 to 9 (6.4 in average),clinical stage ranged from T1b to T2c,the prostate volume ranged from 13 to 69 ml (31 ml in average),and the positive biopsy rate was 8％to 100％ (45％ in average).The low-risk,intermediate-risk and high-risk prostate cancer were 22,29 and 66 cases.Biochemical no evidence of disease (bNED),overall survival and complications were recorded.Results Followed up from 19 to 114 months (84 months in average),33 cases had biochemical recurrence (bNED rate,72％).Twelve patients died,among which 4 patients died of prostate cancer.The overall survival rate was 90％,and the cancer-specific survival rate was 97％.The bNED rates in low-risk,intermediate-risk and high-risk groups were 86％,79％ and 64％,and the difference was significant among the 3groups (P=0.040).The overall survival rates were 100％,90％ and 86％,with no significant difference among the 3 groups (P=0.189).Urinary retention occurred in 11 cases (9％),among which 1 patient had TURP treatment.No serious complications such as rectal fistula occurred.Conclusions The long-term efficacy of brachytherapy in early stage prostate cancer is definite with few complications.With a mean followup of 7 years,the bNED rate was 72％ and the overall survival rate was 90％. Key words: Prostate neoplasms; Brachytherapy; Efficacy; Follow-up studies