A Report on the Clinical Outcome after High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy as Monotherapy in Early Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND To report the clinical outcome after a single implant, high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy in early prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS All clinically localized prostate cancer patients who underwent high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy as monotherapy (no external beam radiotherapy) from February 2006 to September 2011 were analyzed prospectively. Acute and chronic toxicity were assessed as per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), Version 4.03. Biochemical recurrence was analyzed using the Kaplan Meir method. A log-rank analysis was done to compare the factors affecting the outcome. RESULTS  Forty-four patients with organ-confined prostate cancer opted for HDR brachytherapy between February 2006 to September 2011 with a median follow-up of 68 months  The five-year biochemical recurrence-free survival (bRFS) rate was 91%. Late Grade 2 genitourinary (GU) toxicity was observed in 9% of patients. The predictors of late Grade 2 GU toxicity were urethra V125 ≥ 0.2 cc (urethral volume receiving ≥ 125% of the prescribed dose) and PTV 150 ≥ 35% ( planning target volume receiving ≥ 150% of the prescribed dose) with p-value = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively. Erectile function was preserved in 72% of the patients who had Grade 0-1 erectile dysfunction before brachytherapy. CONCLUSION HDR brachytherapy in early prostate cancer results in high local control rates with minimal side-effects.