title: Do theoretical potential and advanced technology justify the use of high-dose rate brachytherapy as monotherapy for prostate cancer?
abstract: Low-dose rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT), involving implantation of radioactive seeds into the prostate, is an established monotherapy for most low-risk and select intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer patients. High-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) is an advanced technology theorized to be more advantageous than LDR-BT from a radiobiological and radiophysics perspective, to the patient himself, and in terms of resource allocation. Studies of HDR-BT monotherapy have encouraging results in terms of biochemical control, patient survival, treatment toxicity and erectile preservation. However, there are still certain limitations that preclude recommending HDR-BT monotherapy for prostate cancer outside the setting of a clinical trial. HDR-BT monotherapy should be considered experimental at present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Zaorsky
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hurwitz
authors.forename: Adam P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Dicker
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Den
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000528:radiation effects; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome