title: Experiences with a new high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) boost technique for T3b prostate cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Experiences with a new high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) boost technique in 41 patients with stage T3b prostate cancer are presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients received 18 Gy of HDR-BT (9 Gy on days 1 + 8) plus 50.4 Gy of EBRT. 20 patients (group A) had BT applicators placed into the prostate alone resulting in 18 Gy to prostate and 0 Gy (tip) to 12 Gy (base) to seminal vesicles (SV). The cumulative EQD2 (equivalent dose in 2-Gy fractions, alpha/beta 1.5 Gy) to the SV was 47.5-73.3 Gy. 21 patients (group B) had BT applicators placed into both prostate and SV resulting in 18 Gy to prostate and to > 80% (but not 100%) of the SV (cumulative EQD2 81.5-101.5 Gy). Both groups were compared for acute and late toxicity and for biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 3-year bRFS was 57% for group A and 79% for group B patients (p = 0.29). A grade 3 acute toxicity (CTC 2.0) was not observed. Grade 2 acute toxicity (proctitis, cystitis, skin toxicity) was comparable in both groups. A grade 3 late toxicity did not occur. Impotence rates were 35% in group A and 24% in group B, respectively (p = 0.73).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new HDR-BT technique (group B) was associated only with minor acute and late toxicity and appears to result in better bRFS than the conventional HDR-BT technique (group A). The results must be confirmed in a prospective trial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany. Rades.Dirk@gmx.net
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rades
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Todorovic
authors.forename: Horst
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thurmann
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Graefen
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walz
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Schild
authors.forename: Juergen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunst
authors.forename: Winfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Alberti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome