[Combined treatment of localized prostate cancer with HDR-Iridium 192 remote brachytherapy and external beam irradiation].
BACKGROUND
The localized prostate cancer can be treated curatively by radiation therapy. The combined treatment of external beam irradiation and HDR-Iridium 192 remote brachytherapy allows higher radiation doses within the tumor without increasing radiation sequelae.


METHODS
Patients of our clinic have been treated with this combined procedure since 1991. Between 1991 and 1994 15 patients received 2 x 9 Gy of high-dose-rate brachytherapy, followed by 36 Gy external beam irradiation (group A). Because of the frequent local failures in group A, the reference dose of external beam irradiation was increased to 50.4 Gy after brachytherapy between 1994 and 1996.


RESULTS
Seven of 15 patients (47%) in group A developed a local recurrence after a median of 17 (13 to 30) months. In group B (20 patients) local failure occurred in 3 patients (15%) after 11, 16 and 32 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined radiation therapy of localized prostate cancer cannot substitute radical prostatectomy completely, but it is a promising alternative in the curative treatment in selected patients.
Andreopoulos
D
D
Klinik für Strahlentherapie, Rheinisch-Westfälischen Technischen Hochschule Aachen. dandreo@logos.cy.net
Piatkowiak
M
M
Krenkel
B
B
Schleicher
U M
UM
Wolff
J M
JM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes