title: Urethral toxicity after LDR brachytherapy: experience in Japan.
abstract: Urinary toxicity is common after low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy, and the resolution of urinary toxicity is a concern. In particular, urinary frequency is the most common adverse event among the urinary toxicities. We have previously reported that approximately 70% of patients experience urinary frequency during the first 6 months after seed implantation. Most urinary adverse events were classified as Grade 1, and Grade 2 or higher adverse events were rare. The incidence of urinary retention was approximately 2-4%. A high International Prostate Symptom Score before seed implantation was an independent predictor of acute urinary toxicity of Grade 2 or higher. Several previous reports from the United States also supported this trend. In Japan, LDR brachytherapy was legally approved in 2003. A nationwide prospective cohort study entitled Japanese Prostate Cancer Outcome Study of Permanent Iodine-125 Seed Implantation was initiated in July 2005. It is an important issue to limit urinary toxicities in patients who undergo LDR brachytherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan. Electronic address: sendo@naramed-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Nobumichi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Asakawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
authors.forename: Masatoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiyohide
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D014521:Urethra / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Genitourinary toxicity; J-POPS; LDR brachytherapy; Prostate cancer