PERCUTANEOUS I-125 SEED IMPLANTATION FOR CARCINOMA OF THE PROSTATE

This study was performed to assess the early results of treating stage s T1-T3 adenocarcinoma prostate with either Iodine-125 (I-125) implant alone (Group 1), for smaller more well differentiated cancers, or wit h low dose external beam radiation followed by a I-125 boost (XRT + I- 125) (Group 2) for larger less well differentiated tumours. Eighty-six patients were followed for between 11 and 60 months with a mean follo w up of 26.1. All patients were followed by regular prostate specific antigen (PSA) evaluations, and digital rectal examinations (DRE). Eigh ty patients had a follow-up biopsy at 1 year. Prostate specific antige n progression-free survival (PSA-PFS) was determined and defined. Comp lications and potency were also assessed. Early results of I-125 prost ate seed implantation are very promising especially for selected cases of localized carcinoma.