Prostate brachytherapy in patients with prior evidence of prostatitis

Purpose: To refute a misconception that a prior history of prostatitis is a contraindication to prostate brachytherapy. Methods and Materials: Five patients,vith clinical or pathologic evidence o f prior prostatitis were treated with transperineal brachytherapy. Four of the patients received a single i.v. dose of ciprofloxacin (500 mg) intraope ratively. Postimplant antibiotics were not given. The pretreatment biopsy s lides were reviewed. Results: Two of the five patients developed postimplant urinary retention r equiring short-term catheterization, and both resolved spontaneously. One p atient developed what appeared to be an exacerbation of his chronic prostat itis. Conclusion: We continue to recommend prostate brachytherapy for the treatme nt of clinically organ-confined cancer, with no concern about prior clinica l or pathologic evidence of prostatitis. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.