Biochemical control of prostate cancer with iodine-125 brachytherapy alone
Clinical and Translational Oncology, 05/16/2012  Clinical Article

da Ponte Amadei LP et al. – Low–dose–rate brachytherapy (LDRB) alone should be considered mostly for low–risk patients. PSA level was a strong independent prognostic factor. The authors support the use of the Phoenix criteria for detection of BF in patients submitted to LDRB alone.

• Data on 220 patients treated between 1998 and 2002 with LDRB were retrospectively analysed.
• Neoadjuvant hormone therapy was used in 74 (33.6%) patients.

• Median follow–up was 53.5 months (24–116).
• Five year BFFS was 83.0% and 83.7% using, respectively, the ASTRO and Phoenix criteria.
• Low –and intermediate–risk patients presented, respectively, 86.7% and 77.8% 5–year BFFS using the ASTRO definition (p=0.069), and 88.5% and 78.6% considering the Phoenix criteria (p=0.016).
• Bounce was observed in 66 (30%) patients.
• Multivariate analysis detected PSA at diagnosis <10 ng/ml and less than 50% positive biopsy fragments as favourable prognostic factors, regarding BF using both criteria.
• For the Phoenix criteria, also Gleason score <7 and low–risk group were identified as independent favourable prognostic factors.