Predictive factors of acute urinary retention requiring catheterization following 125I prostate brachytherapy

Objective: To analyze predictive factors of acute urinary retentionrequiring catheterization after ¹²⁵I prostate brachytherapy. Methods: A group of 227 consecutive patients with localizedprostate cancer were treated with ¹²⁵I prostate brachytherapybetween September 2003 and December 2004. The clinical, treatment-relatedand dosimetric factors were evaluated for the need for catheterizationowing to urinary retention. Results: Twelve patients (5.3%) required catheterization. Themedian time to onset was 2 days after implantation (range 1–7days). Univariate analysis demonstrated that pre-implant ultrasoundprostate volume, number of seeds, number of needles and neoadjuvanthormonal manipulation were predictive for catheterization. Inmultivariate analysis, the number of needles and neoadjuvanthormonal manipulation were significant independent predictivefactors for catheterization (P = 0.002 and 0.025, respectively).The risk of catheterization in the cluster in which the numberof needles was >24 was 4.07 times as high as that in thecluster in which the number of needles was 24 [11.3% versus3.0%, P = 0.020; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24–13.36],and the risk in the hormonally manipulated patients was 7.05times as high as that in the hormone-naïve patients (7.7%versus 1.2%, P = 0.034; 95% CI 0.89–55.64). Conclusion: Our data suggest that the number of needles andhormonal manipulation might be the strongest predictors forcatheterization.     

Acute urinary morbidity following I-125 prostate brachytherapy

Background In Japan, iodine-125 (I-125) prostate brachytherapy has been legally approved since July 2003, and this method is becoming more popular. The purpose of the present study was to assess acute urinary morbidity within the first 6 months after I-125 prostate brachytherapy.Methods A group of 130 consecutive patients with loca-lized prostate cancer was treated with I-125 prostate brachytherapy between September 2003 and June 2004,either alone (monotherapy; 66 patients) or in combination with external-beam radiotherapy (combined therapy; 64 patients). Urinary morbidity was evaluated using the National Cancer Institute – Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0.Results During the follow-up, 111 patients (85.4%) developed some degree of urinary symptoms such as frequency, retention, dysuria, incontinence, or hematuria. Urinaryfrequency (73.1%) and retention (66.9%) were the most common, and showed no significant differences between the monotherapy group and combined therapy group (P = 0.352 and P = 0.630, respectively). Six patients (4.6%) required catheterization for urinary obstruction; the median timeto onset was 1.5 days (range, 1–192 days). Five of these6 patients received monotherapy and the other received combined therapy.Conclusion Manifestations of acute urinary morbidity, especially frequency and retention, are relatively common but acceptable events after I-125 prostate brachytherapy.     

Serial changes of international prostate symptom score following I-125 prostate brachytherapy

Background This study was conducted to assess serial changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) within the first 12 months after iodine-125 (I-125) prostate brachytherapy. Methods Between September 2003 and June 2004, a group of 103 patients with localized prostate cancer was treated with I-125 prostate brachytherapy, either alone (monotherapy; 60 patients) or in combination with external-beam radiotherapy (combined therapy; 43 patients). The IPSS was obtained at preimplant, and at 1, 6, and 12 months after treatment. The minimum IPSS follow-up for this study was 12 months. Dosimetry was based on computed tomography (CT) scan 1 month postimplant. Clinical, treatment-related, and dosimetric factors were assessed for correlations with the maximum IPSS increase (the peak IPSS minus the preimplant IPSS). Results The median preimplant IPSS was 7.0, with a median peak of 16 at 1 month. The IPSS returned to baseline in 42 patients (40.8%) and it returned to within 3 points of the baseline in 64 (62.1%) at 1-year follow-up. On univariate and multivariate analyses, the maximum IPSS increase was best predicted by lower preimplant IPSS, in both the monotherapy and combined therapy groups. Conclusion In our series, IPSS after prostate brachytherapy peaked at 1 month and gradually returned to approximately baseline at 12 months.     

Dosimetric analysis of urinary morbidity following prostate brachytherapy (125I vs. 103Pd) combined with external beam radiation therapy

SUMMARY The purpose of this analysis was to correlate isotope selection with the urinary symptoms of patients who received a combination of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and a transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy (TIPPB) boost with either a ¹⁰³palladium (¹⁰³Pd) or a ¹²⁵iodine (¹²⁵I) radioisotope. Postimplant dosimetry was performed to evaluate both urethral dose and implant quality. The American Urologic Association (AUA) scores in both the ¹²⁵I and ¹⁰³Pd groups were similar initially. However, at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of follow‐up, the mean AUA scores for the ¹²⁵I and ¹⁰³Pd patients were 18 ± 6 vs. 11 ± 9, 17 ± 7 vs. 11 ± 7, 10 ± 3 vs. 9 ± 4, and 14 ± 8 vs. 7 ± 5, respectively (P < 0.01). The only significant difference between the postimplant dose‐volume histogram (DVH) of the ¹²⁵I and ¹⁰³Pd implants was the minimum dose that 90% of the urethra received (D₉₀). The increased AUA score of the ¹²⁵I group was weakly correlated (R² = 0.20) with the D₉₀ dose but that of the ¹⁰³Pd patients was not (R² = 0.00). This suggests that the higher AUA score of the ¹²⁵I patients was not necessarily the result of the higher D₉₀ dose. Thus, patients who received ¹⁰³Pd experienced less urinary morbidity than those implanted with ¹²⁵I. We recommend further validating these findings in prospective studies in which the quality of the ¹²⁵I and ¹⁰³Pd implants can be evaluated. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Rectal dosimetric analysis following prostate brachytherapy

Purpose: To retrospectively assess the rectal tolerance dose in transperineal ultrasound-guided prostate brachytherapy using easily measured point doses.

Methods and Materials: Forty-five consecutive patients who underwent prostate seed implantation from January 1996 to October 1996, using either ¹²⁵I or ¹⁰³Pd as monotherapy or as a boost following 45 Gy of external beam radiotherapy (XRT), were evaluated. For monotherapy using ¹²⁵I, the minimal peripheral dose (mPD) was 160 Gy, utilizing dosimetry parameters which are equivalent to 144 Gy under the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 43 (AAPM TG43) recommendations. Computed tomography (CT)-based dosimetry was performed within 9 days of the implant, with a urinary catheter in place for identification of the urethra, and a rectal obturator positioned prior to the CT scan for identification of the anterior rectal mucosa. Dosimetric parameters relevant to this study were the average, maximal and minimal anterior rectal mucosal dose, and the surface area and length of the anterior rectal mucosa irradiated to 50%, 75%, 90%, 100%, and 120% of the prescribed dose. Rectal complications were determined by patient reporting during office visits and telephone follow-up. Follow-up ranged from 19 to 28 months (median 23).

Results: Among the four cohorts, the average anterior rectal mucosal dose as a percent of the prescribed mPD was 82.5% ± 14.1% (standard deviation, SD), and the average maximum was 120% ± 35%. The length of the rectum receiving a given dose was found to be correlated with the rectal surface area receiving that dose (r² = 0.82 − 0.93 over the dose range 0.5–1.2 mPD). Rectal complications occurred in only four patients, and consisted of mild, self-limited proctitis. Three of the four were in the top quartile of average and maximal rectal dose and length of rectum receiving ≥ 100% of mPD, while the fourth was in the bottom quartile of these parameters. In terms of surface area, all four patients were in the upper half of the study group, with ≥ 90 mm² at dose levels ≥ 100% of mPD.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that in an implant program which maintains the anterior rectal mucosa point dose averages to about 85% of the prescribed dose (regardless of the choice of isotope or the treatment approach), the average maximum to 120% of mPD, and the length of the anterior rectal mucosa receiving 100% and 120% of the prescribed dose at approximately 10 mm and 5 mm, respectively, the incidence of mild self-limited proctitis will be in the range of approximately 9%, without incidence of rectal ulceration and/or fistula formation.     

Incidence and clinical course of hemorrhagic radiation proctitis after iodine-125 prostate brachytherapy

PURPOSE: Hemorrhagic radiation proctitis (HRP) is a potential complication of prostate brachytherapy. We sought to determine the incidence and clinical course of hemorrhagic radiation proctitis after iodine-125 (125I) prostate brachytherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 2003, 221 consecutive patients were treated at the Barrett Cancer Center with permanent 125I seed implantation for presumed localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate. No patients received EBRT. All cases of HRP were confirmed by colonoscopy. Median follow-up was 52 months. All patients were evaluated for HRP using a 5-grade rectal bleeding scale developed by the Radiation Therapeutic Oncology Group. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients experienced grade>or=1 toxicity at some point after treatment. Twenty patients developed grade 2 toxicity, 9 developed grade 3, and 2 developed grade 4. The median time to onset of symptoms of HRP was 14 months. The incidence of HRP had a bimodal temporal onset, with a peak seen at 4 months and a second larger peak at 16 months. Peak toxicity occurred at 18 months after the onset of rectal bleeding, after which there was a sharp decline in toxicity. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates tolerable rectal morbidity after transperineal prostate brachytherapy of the prostate. Hemorrhagic radiation proctitis occurring after brachytherapy for prostate cancer is usually self-limiting and frequently resolves without treatment or with minor medical treatment. Patients develop HRP soon after treatment or after a delay in treatment. Symptoms appear to peak 18 months after the onset of HRP.     

Late rectal complications after prostate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer

This review of the literature on late rectal complications after prostate brachytherapy indicated that it is a highly effective treatment modality for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer but can cause chronic radiation proctitis. The most common manifestation of chronic radiation proctitis was anterior rectal wall bleeding, which often occurred within the first 2 years after brachytherapy. It is interesting to note that the rates of late rectal morbidity appear to have declined over time, which may reflect improvements in implantation techniques and imaging. Rectal biopsy as part of the workup to evaluate rectal bleeding can lead to rectal fistula and the need for colostomy, a rare but major complication. The authors recommend 1) screening colonoscopy before brachytherapy for patients who have not had a screening colonoscopy within the preceding 3 years to rule out colorectal malignancies and, thus, facilitate conservative management should rectal bleeding occur; 2) lifestyle modifications during treatment to limit exposure of the rectum to radiation; and 3) conservative management for rectal bleeding that occurs within 2 years after brachytherapy. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

Dose distribution and morbidity after high dose rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer: Influence of V150 and V200 parameters

The purpose of this study is to identify factors predicting morbidity in patients undergoing high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy boost with external beam irradiation for prostate cancer. Acute and late morbidity data were collected for 104 prostate cancer patients treated with an HDR boost together with external beam radiotherapy. Significant urinary and rectal morbidity were correlated with urethral and rectal point doses, and the proportions of the target volume receiving 100%, 150% and 200% (V200) or more of the prescribed dose. Rectal or urethral point doses did not predict morbidity. By contrast, the V200 was significantly higher for patients experiencing either acute or late urinary morbidity. The cut‐off V200 was 15% of the target volume. Although theoretically beneficial for tumour cell kill, the treatment of significant proportions of the prostate to high dose might be associated with increased morbidity, and should preferably be avoided.     

Iodine‐125 brachytherapy for prostate cancer: First published Australian experience

With the emergence of new imaging and implant techniques, prostate brachytherapy has become increasingly popular over the last decade. Brachytherapy promises to deliver twice the biologically effective dose as conventional external beam treatments without increasing the dose to tissues surrounding the prostate. However, there are few or no published Australian series of its efficacy in the clinic. We present the experience of one of the first centres in Australia to offer this service to its patients: a series from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Western Australia. We present data on the efficacy of brachytherapy in maintaining prostate specific antigen levels, as well as the rate of urinary, rectal and sexual complications. Our results compare favourably with other brachytherapy and external beam treatment series. We believe that with the increasing trend towards dose escalation and novel therapies, standardized measurements of success and failure need to be better defined, and that randomized trials comparing modalities are needed to improve the management of prostate cancer.     

近距离放疗联合间歇性内分泌治疗在局限性前列腺癌治疗中的应用

目的分析比较近距离125I粒子置入联合间歇性内分泌疗法（intermittent hormonal therapy，IHT）在局限性前列腺癌治疗中的效果。方法回顾2003年1月至2013年7月期间未接受根治性前列腺切除而接受治疗满5年的136例局限性前列腺癌患者，按治疗方式分为单纯间歇性内分泌治疗（A组，46例）、单纯近距离125I粒子置入（B组，42例）和近距离125I粒子置入＋间歇性内分泌治疗（C组，48例）三组，分析比较三组患者的治疗无效率、5年无事件生存率和5年生存率。结果A组、B组、C组治疗无效率分别为17．39％、16．67％、2．08％，5年无事件生存率分别为36．96％、66．67％、87．50％，5年生存率分别为50．00％、73．81％、93．75％。C组的治疗无效率明显低于A组和B组，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；C组的5年无事件生存率和5年生存率明显高于A组和B组，差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；C组的不良反应发生率明显低于B组，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论近距离125I粒子置入联合间歇性内分泌治疗作为局限性前列腺癌的综合治疗手段，可以增加治疗有效率、提高无事件生存率和生存率，是局限性前列腺癌安全有效的治疗方法。     

Stereotactic iodine-125 brachytherapy for the treatment of WHO grades II and III gliomas located in the central sulcus region

Background

Resection of gliomas located in eloquent brain areas remains a neurosurgical challenge. The reported incidence of transient or permanent neurological deficits after microsurgery in eloquent brain ranges 20%–100%, or 0%–47% among contemporary neurosurgical series. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of stereotactic brachytherapy (SBT) as a local treatment alternative to microsurgical resection for patients with gliomas in highly eloquent areas, located in the central sulcus region (CSR).

Method

Between 1997 and 2010, 60 patients with World Health Organization (WHO) grades II and III gliomas located in the CSR were treated with SBT (iodine-125 seeds; cumulative therapeutic dose, 50–65 Gy). Following SBT, WHO grade III glioma patients additionally received percutaneous radiotherapy (median boost dose, 25.2 Gy). We evaluated procedure-related complications, clinical outcome, and progression-free survival.

Results

Procedure-related mortality was zero. Within 30 days of SBT, 3 patients (5%) had transient neurological deficits, and 8 patients (13%) had temporarily increased seizure activity. One patient (1.6%) deteriorated permanently. Space-occupying cysts (6 patients) and radiation necrosis (1 patient) developed after a median of 38 months and required surgical intervention. Seizure activity, rated 12 months following SBT, decreased in 82% of patients (Engel classes I–III). Median progression-free survivals were 62.2 ± 19.7 months (grade II gliomas) and 26.1 ± 17.9 months (grade III gliomas).

Conclusions

Compared with microsurgical resection, SBT harbors a low risk of procedural complications, is minimally invasive, and seems to be an effective local treatment option for patients with inoperable, eloquent WHO grade II and III gliomas in the CSR. However, the value of SBT for treating gliomas still needs to be determined in prospective, randomized studies.     

The influence of isotope and prostate volume on urinary morbidity after prostate brachytherapy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of isotope and prostate size on International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) normalization, catheter dependency, and the need for surgical intervention secondary to bladder outlet obstruction after prostate brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 1998 and June 2003, 976 consecutive patients underwent brachytherapy for clinical stage T1b-T3a (2002 American Joint Committee on Cancer) prostate cancer. Seven hundred eighty-nine (80.8%) were implanted with 103Pd and 187 (19.2%) with 125I. The median follow-up was 41.2 months. Patients were stratified into size cohorts < or = 25 cm3, 25.1-35 cm3, 35.1-45 cm3, and >45 cm3. Four hundred eighteen patients (42.8%) received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Four hundred eighty-six patients (49.7%) received supplemental external-beam radiation therapy (XRT). In all patients, an alpha blocker was initiated before implantation and continued at least until the IPSS returned to baseline. IPSS resolution was defined as a return to within one point of baseline. The median number of IPSS determinations per patient was 21. Clinical, treatment, and dosimetric parameters evaluated included patient age, pretreatment PSA, Gleason score, clinical T stage, percent positive biopsies, preimplant IPSS, ultrasound volume, planning volume, isotope, V(100/150/200), D(90), urethral dose (average and maximum), supplemental XRT, ADT, and the duration of ADT (< or = 6 months vs. >6 months). Catheter dependency and the need for postsurgical intervention were also evaluated. RESULTS: For both isotopes and all prostate size cohorts, IPSS peaked 1 month after implantation and returned to baseline at a mean of 1.9 months. Stratification of prostate size cohorts by isotope demonstrated no significant differences in prolonged catheter dependency (> or = 5 days), IPSS resolution, or postimplant surgical intervention. In Cox regression analysis, IPSS normalization was best predicted by preimplant IPSS, XRT, and any need for a catheter after brachytherapy. Catheter dependency correlated with prostate size and ADT, whereas the need for surgical intervention was most closely related to any catheter dependency, maximum urethral dose, ADT, and maximum IPSS increase. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of prostate size, isotope did not impact IPSS resolution, catheter dependency, or the need for postbrachytherapy surgical intervention. Although prostate size did predict for short-term (<5 days) catheter dependency, it did not influence IPSS resolution or the need for surgical intervention.     

Rectal bleeding after high-dose-rate brachytherapy combined with hypofractionated external-beam radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer: impact of rectal dose in high-dose-rate brachytherapy on occurrence of grade 2 or worse rectal bleeding

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of Grade 2 or worse rectal bleeding after high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy combined with hypofractionated external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT), with special emphasis on the relationship between the incidence of rectal bleeding and the rectal dose from HDR brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The records of 100 patients who were treated by HDR brachytherapy combined with EBRT for > or =12 months were analyzed. The fractionation schema for HDR brachytherapy was prospectively changed, and the total radiation dose for EBRT was fixed at 51 Gy. The distribution of the fractionation schema used in the patients was as follows: 5 Gy x 5 in 13 patients; 7 Gy x 3 in 19 patients; and 9 Gy x 2 in 68 patients. RESULTS: Ten patients (10%) developed Grade 2 or worse rectal bleeding. Regarding the correlation with dosimetric factors, no significant differences were found in the average percentage of the entire rectal volume receiving 30%, 50%, 80%, and 90% of the prescribed radiation dose from EBRT between those with bleeding and those without. The average percentage of the entire rectal volume receiving 10%, 30%, 50%, 80%, and 90% of the prescribed radiation dose from HDR brachytherapy in those who developed rectal bleeding was 77.9%, 28.6%, 9.0%, 1.5%, and 0.3%, respectively, and was 69.2%, 22.2%, 6.6%, 0.9%, and 0.4%, respectively, in those without bleeding. The differences in the percentages of the entire rectal volume receiving 10%, 30%, and 50% between those with and without bleeding were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The rectal dose from HDR brachytherapy for patients with prostate cancer may have a significant impact on the incidence of Grade 2 or worse rectal bleeding.     

An analysis of the relation between physical characteristics of prostate I-125 seed implants and lower urinary tract symptoms: Bladder hotspot dose and prostate size are significant predictors

PURPOSE: Lower urinary tract symptoms are frequently observed after I-125 seed implantation of the prostate. More knowledge about causes and predictors is necessary to be able to develop less toxic implantation techniques. The aim of this study was to identify implantation related factors that contribute to post-implant urinary morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysed was a group of 72 patients that filled in a symptom score questionnaire before, 3 months and 6 months after implantation as well as a group of 15 patients that suffered from acute urinary retention. Several dose-volume parameters of prostate, urethra and bladder wall were determined based on a post-implant TRUS-CT scan. RESULTS: The dose to a 1cm(3) hotspot in the bladder wall (D1cc-bl) as well as the prostate volume were independently correlated with urinary morbidity symptom scores at 3 months (p=0.006 and p=0.005, respectively) and at 6 months (p=0.001 and p=0.015, respectively) after implantation. The number of implanted seeds and the D1cc-bl were significant discriminators (p<0.001 and p=0.015, respectively) for either mild or severe early urinary morbidity. CONCLUSION: Bladder hotspot dose appears to be an important dosimetric predictor for urinary morbidity both at 3 months and at 6 months after implantation. Other predictors are prostate volume, or equivalently, the number of implanted seeds.