Studies of dose-escalated external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and low dose rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) have shown excellent rates of tumor control and cancer specific survival.
Moreover, LDR-BT combined with EBRT (i.e. "LDR-BT boost") is hypothesized to improve local control. While phase II trials with LDR-BT boost have produced mature data of outcomes and toxicities, high dose rate (HDR)-BT has been growing in popularity as an alternative boost therapy. Boost from HDR-BT has theoretical advantages over LDR-BT, including improved cancer cell death and better dose distribution from customization of catheter dwell times, locations, and inverse dose optimization. Freedom from biochemical failure rates at five years for low-, intermediate-, high-risk, and locally advanced patients have generally been 85-100%, 80-98%, 59-96%, and 34-85%, respectively. Late Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade 3-4 toxicities have also been encouraging with < 6% of patients experiencing any toxicity. Limitations of current HDR-BT boost studies include reports of only single-institution experiences, and unrefined reports of toxicity or patient quality of life. Comparative effectiveness research will help guide clinicians in selecting the most appropriate treatment option for individual patients based on risk-stratification, expected outcomes, toxicities, quality of life, and cost.
Written by:
Zaorsky NG, Doyle LA, Yamoah K, Andrel JA, Trabulsi EJ, Hurwitz MD, Dicker AP, Den RB. Are you the author?
Department of Radiation Oncology, Jefferson Medical College & Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Bodine Center for Cancer Treatment, 111 S. 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Reference: Cancer Treat Rev. 2013 Oct 26. pii: S0305-7372(13)00225-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2013.10.006
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24231548
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