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.
Written by:
Zaorsky NG, Doyle LA, Hurwitz MD, Dicker AP, Den RB. Are you the author?
Department of Radiation Oncology Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
Reference: Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2013 Oct 15. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1586/14737140.2013.836303
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24124755
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