BRACHYTHERAPY FOR CLINICALLY LOCALIZED PROSTATE-CANCER - RESULTS AT 7-YEAR AND 8-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in interstiti al radiation as a cost-effective and efficient method of treating orga n-confined prostate cancer. We describe our 7- and 8-year results with transperineal Iodine-125 and Palladium-103 implantation. A total of 5 51 consecutive patients were treated. Of these, 320/551 (58%) received implant alone (Group I), and 231/551 (42%)- considered higher risk pa tients - were also treated with a modest dose (45 Gy) of external beam irradiation (Group II). The median follow-up for Group I was 55 month s, and for Group II, 60 months. At 7 years, the actuarial freedom from biochemical failure (prostate-specific antigen (PSA) less than or equ al to 1.0 ng/mL) was 80% in Group I patients, and, at 8 years, 65% in Group II patients. Morbidity was minimal if patients had not undergone prior transurethral prostate resections. The results indicate that in terstitial radiation is a valid treatment for clinically localized pro state cancer. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 13:438-443, 1997. (C) 1997 Wiley-Lis s, Inc.