BACKGROUND: To assess the biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free rate in patients who underwent prostate low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-brachytherapy), using two different definitions (Phoenix definition and PSA ≥ 0.2 ng/mL).
METHODS:Two hundreds and three patients who were clinically diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (cT1c-2cN0M0) and underwent LDR-brachytherapy between July 2004 and September 2008 were enrolled. The median follow-up period was 72 months. We evaluated the BCR-free rate using the Phoenix definition and the PSA cut-off value of 0.2 ng/mL, as in the definition for radical prostatectomy. To evaluate an independent variable that can predict BCR, Cox's proportional hazard regression analysis was carried out.
RESULTS: The BCR-free rate in patients using the Phoenix definition was acceptable (5-year: 92.8%). The 5- year BCR-free rate using the strict definition (PSA ≥ 0.2 ng/mL) was 74.1%. Cox's proportional hazard regression analysis showed that a higher biological effective dose (BED) of ≥180 Gy2 was the only independent variable that could predict BCR (HR: 0.570, 95% C.I.: 0.327-0.994, p = 0.048). Patients with a higher BED (≥180 Gy2) had a significantly higher BCR-free rate than those with a lower BED (< 180 Gy2) (5-year BCR-free rate: 80.5% vs. 67.4%).
CONCLUSIONS: A higher BED ≥180 Gy2 promises a favorable BCR-free rate, even if the strict definition is adopted.
Written by:
Tanaka N, Asakawa I, Katayama E, Hirayama A, Hasegawa M, Konishi N, Fujimoto K. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan.
Reference: Radiat Oncol. 2014 May 6;9(1):107.
doi: 10.1186/1748-717X-9-107
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24885896
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