title: Long-term outcomes for patients with prostate cancer having intermediate and high-risk disease, treated with combination external beam irradiation and brachytherapy.
abstract: Background. Perception remains that brachytherapy-based regimens are inappropriate for patients having increased risk of extracapsular extension (ECE). Methods. 321 consecutive intermediate and high-risk disease patients were treated between 1/92 and 2/97 by one author (M. Dattoli) and stratified by NCCN guidelines. 157 had intermediate-risk; 164 had high-risk disease. All were treated using the combination EBRT/brachytherapy ± hormones. Biochemical failure was defined using PSA >0.2 and nadir +2 at last followup. Nonfailing patients followup was median 10.5 years. Both biochemical data and original biopsy slides were independently rereviewed at an outside institution. Results. Overall actuarial freedom from biochemical progression at 16 years was 82% (89% intermediate, 74% high-risk) with failure predictors: Gleason score (P = .01) and PSA (P = .03). Hormonal therapy did not affect failure rates (P = .14). Conclusion. This study helps to strengthen the rationale for brachytherapy-based regimens as being both durable and desirable treatment options for such patients. Prospective studies are justified to confirm these positive results.
authors.affiliation: Dattoli Cancer Center & Brachytherapy Research Institute, 2803 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, FL 34237-5367, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dattoli
authors.forename: Kent
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wallner
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: True
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bostwick
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cash
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sorace