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Combined external beam radiotherapy and Pd‐103 brachytherapy boost improves biochemical failure free survival in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer: Results of a matched pair analysis
Author(s) -
Singh Anu M.,
Gag Gregory,
Collins Brian,
NiroomandRad Azam,
McRae Donald,
Zhang Ying,
Regan James,
Lynch John,
Dritschilo Anatoly
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
the prostate
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.295
H-Index - 123
eISSN - 1097-0045
pISSN - 0270-4137
DOI - 10.1002/pros.20118
Subject(s) - medicine , brachytherapy , prostate cancer , external beam radiotherapy , urology , genitourinary system , prostate , radiation therapy , external beam radiation , nuclear medicine , oncology , cancer
BACKGROUND Dose escalation has resulted in improved biochemical control in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer treated with conformal external beam radiation (EBRT). Conformal dose distributions may also be achieved with brachytherapy. Therefore, biochemical control was evaluated for patients treated with combined external radiation therapy and low dose rate brachytherapy (EBRT + LDR). METHODS A matched pair analysis was performed to compare biochemical control of patients treated with EBRT + LDR to patients treated with EBRT alone. The study endpoints were biochemical control and late toxicities. RESULTS The 5‐year biochemical failure free survival (BFFS) was 86% for patients treated with EBRT + LDR and 72% for patients treated with EBRT ( P = 0.03). Both treatments were associated with comparable incidences of late genitourinary (GU) side effects (18–19%). Late rectal toxicity was decreased by 15% in patients treated with EBRT + LDR ( P = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS These results support EBRT followed by brachytherapy boost as a safe and effective method for dose escalation in the treatment of prostate cancer. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.