High-dose-rate brachytherapy monotherapy without androgen deprivation therapy for intermediate-risk prostate cancer

Abstract

PurposeOutcomes using high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy monotherapy (without androgen deprivation therapy or external beam radiation therapy) for National Comprehensive Cancer Network–defined intermediate-risk (IR) patients are limited. We report our long-term data using HDR monotherapy for this patient population. Methods and MaterialsOne-hundred ninety IR prostate cancer patients were treated 1996–2013 with HDR monotherapy. Biochemical prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure was per the Phoenix definition. Acute and late genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicities were graded according to Common Toxicity Criteria of Adverse Events, version 4. Kaplan–Meier (KM) biochemical progression-free survival (BPFS), cause-specific survival, and overall survival rates were calculated. Univariate analyses were performed to determine relationships with BPFS. The median patient age was 66 years (43–90), and the median initial PSA was 7.4 ng/mL. The Gleason score was ≤6 in 26%, 3 + 4 in 62%, and 4 + 3 in 12%. The median treatment BED1.5 was 254 Gy; 83% of patients were treated with a dose of 7.25 Gy × six fractions delivered in two separate implants. ResultsWith a median follow-up of 6.2 years, KM BPFS at 5/8 years was 97%/90%, cause-specific survival at 8 years was 100%, and overall survival at 5/8 years was 93%/88%. Late genitourinary toxicities were 36.3% Grade 1, 18.9% Grade 2, and 3.7% Grade 3. Late gastrointestinal toxicities were 6.3% Grade 1, 1.1% Grade 2, and no Grade ≥3. Of the patients with no sexual dysfunction before treatment, 68% maintained potency. Age, initial PSA, T stage, Gleason score, prostate volume, and percent positive cores did not correlate with BPFS. Stratifying by favorable vs. unfavorable IR groups did not affect BPFS. ConclusionsHDR brachytherapy monotherapy represents a safe and highly effective treatment for IR prostate cancer patients with long-term follow-up.