BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare quality of life after permanent I-125 brachytherapy (BT) and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 104 patients (52 in each group) have been surveyed prospectively before EBRT/BT (time A), at the last day of EBRT (70.2-72.0 Gy) or one month after BT (time B), and a median time of 16 months after EBRT/BT (time C) using a validated questionnaire (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite). Pairs were matched according to the following criteria: age +/-5 years, prostate volume +/-10 cc, use of antiandrogens, and erectile function. RESULTS: Urinary function/bother scores decreased significantly more after BT both at time B and time C. Bowel function/bother scores tended to be higher after BT, with a lower percentage of patients with painful bowel movements (BT: 12%/27%/15%; EBRT: 19%/52%/35% at time A/B/C; p<0.05 for differences at times B/C) and rectal bleeding (BT: 12%/12%/12%; EBRT: 8%/14%/17%). No difference concerning erectile dysfunction was found (67% vs. 61% with preserved erections firm enough for intercourse after BT vs. EBRT at time C). CONCLUSIONS: BT was associated with higher urinary, but lower rectal toxicity. The risk of treatment-associated erectile dysfunction did not differ between these methods.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare quality of life after permanent I-125 brachytherapy (BT) and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 104 patients (52 in each group) have been surveyed prospectively before EBRT/BT (time A), at the last day of EBRT (70.2-72.0 Gy) or one month after BT (time B), and a median time of 16 months after EBRT/BT (time C) using a validated questionnaire (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite). Pairs were matched according to the following criteria: age +/-5 years, prostate volume +/-10 cc, use of antiandrogens, and erectile function. RESULTS: Urinary function/bother scores decreased significantly more after BT both at time B and time C. Bowel function/bother scores tended to be higher after BT, with a lower percentage of patients with painful bowel movements (BT: 12%/27%/15%; EBRT: 19%/52%/35% at time A/B/C; p<0.05 for differences at times B/C) and rectal bleeding (BT: 12%/12%/12%; EBRT: 8%/14%/17%). No difference concerning erectile dysfunction was found (67% vs. 61% with preserved erections firm enough for intercourse after BT vs. EBRT at time C). CONCLUSIONS: BT was associated with higher urinary, but lower rectal toxicity. The risk of treatment-associated erectile dysfunction did not differ between these methods.
Authors: J Taylor Whaley; Lawrence B Levy; David A Swanson; Thomas J Pugh; Rajat J Kudchadker; Teresa L Bruno; Steven J Frank Journal: Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys Date: 2012-01-31 Impact factor: 7.038
Authors: George Rodrigues; Xiaomei Yao; D Andrew Loblaw; Michael Brundage; Joseph L Chin Journal: Can Urol Assoc J Date: 2013 May-Jun Impact factor: 1.862