Experimental determination of Gd dose enhancement and Gd dose sparing by 192Ir brachytherapy source with Gafchromic EBT3 dosimeter.

This work evaluates experimentally the dose enhancement factor (DEF) and dose sparing factor (DSF) due to radiation self-shielding, produced by Gd infused in tumor phantom irradiated with brachytherapy HDR 192Ir source by Gafchromic EBT3 dosimeter. The phantom was made of a set of solid water slabs (30 × 30 × 1.0) cm3 and three acrylic slabs of (30 × 30 × 0.5) cm3 machined to contain in the central axis acrylics vials of (1 × 1 × 5) cm3. The first and second acrylic vials were filled with an identical Gd solution of 0, 10 and 20 mg/ml, simulating Gd-doped and undoped tumor, and the third vial was filled in all the measurement only with water, representing an organ at risk. Additional solid water slabs were used to complete a phantom of (30 × 30 × 16) cm3. In the phantom center an acrylic slab was machined to introduce the 2.5 mm flexible guide tube of GammaMed plus iX equipment and positioning the 192Ir source in the phantom central part. EBT3 fragments of (0.9 × 4) cm2 were placed on the inner edge of the second and third vials to measure dose enhancement and dose sparing simultaneously. Phantom CT images were acquired for planning and to prescribe a dose of 6.0 Gy at 2.0 cm of the source, achieving an isodose curve of 44.5% at 3.0 cm (positions of the EBT3 films). Additionally, Monte Carlo simulation of the identical experimental setup was implemented to compare measurement values. The results showed the feasibility of measuring a DEF of 1.15 ± 0.05 in 20 mg/ml of Gd concentration consistent with the Monte Carlo DEF of 1.112 ± 0.005 for the same concentration. DEF value for concentration of 10 mg/ml would not be detected (1.00 ± 0.04) by an expected under measurement of the EBT3 films associated with the non-detection of photoelectrons and Auger electrons of very low energy that cannot reach the radiosensitive substrate.

Estimation and comparison of integral dose to target and organs at risk in three-dimensional computed tomography image-based treatment planning of carcinoma uterine cervix with two high-dose-rate brachytherapy sources: 60Co and 192Ir.

BACKGROUND: Iridium-192 (192Ir) has been a widely accepted radioisotope for high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy. Recently, Cobalt-60 (60Co) radioisotope with a longer half-life (5.26 years) has been gaining popularity due to economic and logistical reasons as compared with the traditional 192Ir. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the integral dose (ID) to the target and organs at risk (OARs) with two HDR brachytherapy sources in brachytherapy treatment of carcinoma uterine cervix to find appropriate HDR radioisotopes for clinical benefit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 52 computed tomography image-based brachytherapy plans of 52 patients who have received intracavitary treatment with 192Ir HDR source. For each patient plan, one additional set of plan was created using 60Co source in place of 192Ir source keeping the same dwell position, and again dose was optimized. The volume and mean dose for target, OARs, and volume structures of 400%, 200%, 150%, 100%, and 50% were recorded for the estimation and comparison of ID. RESULTS: The mean ID to high-risk clinical target volume was significantly higher by 5.84% in 60Co plan than that in 192Ir plan. For OARs, the mean ID to the rectum was significantly higher by 2.60% in 60Co plan as compared to 192Ir plan, whereas for bladder and sigmoid colon, it was lower in 60Co plan than that in 192Ir plan. The mean ID of central dose volume structures of 400%, 200%, 150%, 100%, and 50% was higher by 12.97%, 9.77%, 8.16%, 6.10%, and 3.22%, respectively, in 60Co plan than that of 192Ir plan. CONCLUSION: The results of our study concluded that 192Ir HDR radioisotope should be preferred for intracavitary brachytherapy due to its ideal physical characteristics for better clinical outcomes.

The Preliminary Results of 3-Dimensional Printed Individual Template Assisted 192Ir High-Dose Rate Interstitial Brachytherapy for Central Recurrent Gynecologic Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of high dose rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-IB) assisted with 3-dimensional printing individual template (3D-PIT) for central pelvic recurrent gynecologic cancer (CR-GYN). METHODS: Totally 32 patients diagnosed with CR-GYN received iridium-192(192Ir) HDR-IB assisted with 3D-PIT that was classified in 2 types(Type I: transvaginal template/ applicator, and Type II: transvaginal combined transperineal template). The prescribed dose to gross tumor volume (GTV) was 10-36 Gy in 2-6 fractions. We rely on a few dosimetric parameters for quality control. The short-term efficacy was evaluated by RECIST v1.1, and the adverse event was evaluated by CTCAE V4.0. RESULTS: The median V100, D100 and D90 of per fraction among all the patients were 88.9%±9.8%, 3.45Gy±0.54 Gy, and 5.79Gy±0.32 Gy, respectively. Dosimetric comparison between preplan and treatment plan of 20/32 patients with Type II 3D-PIT showed no significant difference in GTV volume, V100, D100, D90, conformation index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI). No severe treatment complications occurred. Grade 3 or 4 late toxicities (fistula) were observed in 3 patients (9%). The local response rate (complete remission, CR + partial remission, PR) was 84.4% (27/32) 1 month after completion of treatment. The median time to progression (TTP) was 15.4 months (95% CI 11.3- 19.6 months), 1-year local control (LC) rate were 51.7%. CONCLUSIONS: HDR-IB assisted by 3D-PIT was a reliable modality for CR-GYN due to the clinical feasibility and accepted complications.

Monte Carlo simulation of the effect of magnetic fields on brachytherapy dose distributions in lung tissue material.

The aim of this work was to use TOPAS Monte Carlo simulations to model the effect of magnetic fields on dose distributions in brachytherapy lung treatments, under ideal and clinical conditions. Idealistic studies were modeled consisting of either a monoenergetic electron source of 432 keV, or a polyenergetic electron source using the spectrum of secondary electrons produced by 192Ir gamma-ray irradiation. The electron source was positioned in the center of a homogeneous, lung tissue phantom (ρ = 0.26 g/cm3). Conversely, the clinical study was simulated using the VariSource VS2000 192Ir source in a patient with a lung tumor. Three contoured volumes were considered: the tumor, the planning tumor volume (PTV), and the lung. In all studies, dose distributions were calculated in the presence or absence of a constant magnetic field of 3T. Also, TG-43 parameters were calculated for the VariSource and compared with published data from EGS-brachy (EGSnrc) and PENELOPE. The magnetic field affected the dose distributions in the idealistic studies. For the monoenergetic and poly-energetic studies, the radial distance of the 10% iso-dose line was reduced in the presence of the magnetic field by 64.9% and 24.6%, respectively. For the clinical study, the magnetic field caused differences of 10% on average in the patient dose distributions. Nevertheless, differences in dose-volume histograms were below 2%. Finally, for TG-43 parameters, the dose-rate constant from TOPAS differed by 0.09% ± 0.33% and 0.18% ± 0.33% with respect to EGS-brachy and PENELOPE, respectively. The geometry and anisotropy functions differed within 1.2% ± 1.1%, and within 0.0% ± 0.3%, respectively. The Lorentz forces inside a 3T magnetic resonance machine during 192Ir brachytherapy treatment of the lung are not large enough to affect the tumor dose distributions significantly, as expected. Nevertheless, large local differences were found in the lung tissue. Applications of this effect are therefore limited by the fact that meaningful differences appeared only in regions containing air, which is not abundant inside the human.

Impact of radiation source activity on short- and long-term outcomes of cervical carcinoma patients treated with high-dose-rate brachytherapy: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: High-dose-rate (HDR) afterloading brachytherapy using Iridium-192 source involves large radiation activity varieties due to fast decay. It was unknown but clinically desirable to evaluate its impacts on patient outcomes to support more informed decisions. METHODS: Data of 510 cervical carcinoma (CC) patients were retrospectively included. High-radioactive (HR) and low-radioactive (LR) groups were statistically defined per patient-specific average mean-dose-rate (MDR) of all fractions. The cutoffs were calculated using R-3.6.1 packages based on significance of correlation with binary outcome or survival time. Categorized 1-month and 3-month follow-up results were analyzed as short-term outcomes. Long-term outcomes were evaluated using local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and metastatic recurrence-free survival (MRFS). Propensity-score-matched (PSM) pairs were generated to reduce bias. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 47.1 months (interquartile range: 33.9 months-66.4 months), involving MDR varieties of up to 9 folds ranging from 6059.99 cGy/h to 54013.66 cGy/h due to 17 source replacements at intervals ranging from 93 days-199 days. Both short-term (1-month: p = 0.22; 3-month: p = 0.79) and long-term (LRFS: p = 0.10; MRFS: p = 0.46) outcomes showed no significant difference between HR and LR. Subgroup analysis displayed significantly better results in LR for stage I-II (3-month, p = 0.02) and stage II (LRFS, p = 0.04) patients. Both LRFS and MRFS of LR were significantly non-inferior to HR (p ≤ 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: LR is clinically non-inferior or partially superior to HR for CC treatment using HDR, which dispels concerns of potentially undermined patient outcomes when source replacement is delayed.

Tumor Seeding along the Puncture Tract in CT-Guided Interstitial High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: To quantify the occurrence of tumor seeding in computed tomography (CT)-guided high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRBT) and to identify potential risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT-HDRBT is a minimally invasive therapeutic option for local ablation of unresectable tumors. The procedure involves CT-guided placement of an enclosed catheter and high-dose-rate brachytherapy using iridium-192. Transcutaneous puncture of a tumor with subsequent retraction of the applicator has the potential risk of tumor seeding along the puncture tract. A total of 1,765 consecutive CT-HDRBT procedures were performed at this center between 2006 and 2017 and were retrospectively analyzed. In addition, a distinction was made between whether the puncture tract was irradiated or not. Follow-up imaging datasets were evaluated for tumor seeding along the former puncture tracts. Descriptive and exploratory statistical analyses of the data were performed. RESULTS: Tumor seeding was observed in 25 cases (25 of 1,765 cases [1.5%]). A total of 0.008 cases occurred per person-age. Patient age was identified as a potential risk factor with an odds ratio of 1.046 (95% confidence interval, 1.003-1.091; P = .04). There were no differences between whether the puncture tract was irradiated or not (P = .552). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor seeding along the puncture tract can occur in CT-HDRBT but is rare.

Deployment and performance of model-based dose calculation algorithm in 192Ir shielded cylinder brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to integrate model-based dose calculation algorithm (MBDCA) and 3-D planning into our institutional capabilities for clinical cases with inherent heterogeneities, namely shielded cylinder cases, which were previously performed using templates. METHODS AND MATERIALS: AcurosBV (Varian Medical Systems) was selected as MBDCA, and we compared results against the American Association of Physicists in Medicine working group (WG) reference Test Case #4, which contains a 36-mm-diameter 180-degree shielded cylinder. The last five clinically used template plans, as generated with ABACUS (Varian Medical Systems), were compared against MBDCA results. Clinical plans used 20-, 23-, and 26-mm-diameter cylinders, prescribed from 5 to 7 Gy, 50- to 110-mm active length, 7 to 21 dwell positions, with 5- or 10-mm spacing. RESULTS: Compared with the WG reference plan, AcurosBV produced excellent agreement, within 1% at reference points. Larger deviations arose only within the applicator itself. Historical plans generated using ABACUS had higher point dose than AcurosBV by 3-4% or 2-3% using transport within medium at prescription points, with dose to medium or water, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: To verify the accuracy of our MBDCA algorithm, we benchmarked against the WG data set available for shielded cylinders. We discovered a 3-4% difference in dose from our established historical templates, which is easily outweighed by daily positioning uncertainties. Dose distributions from MBDCA were used to assess and validate existing historical templates.

Dosimetric Considerations for Ytterbium-169, Selenium-75, and Iridium-192 Radioisotopes in High-Dose-Rate Endorectal Brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate differences between prescribed and postimplant calculated dose in 192Ir high-dose-rate endorectal brachytherapy (HDR-EBT) by evaluating dose to clinical target volume (CTV) and organs at risk (OARs) calculated with a Monte Carlo-based dose calculation software, RapidBrachyMC. In addition, dose coverage, conformity, and homogeneity were compared among the radionuclides 192Ir, 75Se, and 169Yb for use in HDR-EBT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Postimplant dosimetry was evaluated using 23 computed tomography (CT) images from patients treated with HDR-EBT using the 192Ir microSelectron v2 (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) source and the Intracavitary Mold Applicator Set (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden), which is a flexible applicator capable of fitting a tungsten rod for OAR shielding. Four tissue segmentation schemes were evaluated: (1) TG-43 formalism, (2) materials and nominal densities assigned to contours of foreign objects, (3) materials and nominal densities assigned to contoured organs in addition to foreign objects, and (4) materials specified as in (3) but with voxel mass densities derived from CT Hounsfield units. Clinical plans optimized for 192Ir were used, with the results for 75Se and 169Yb normalized to the D90 of the 192Ir clinical plan. RESULTS: In comparison to segmentation scheme 4, TG-43-based dosimetry overestimates CTV D90 by 6% (P = .00003), rectum D50 by 24% (P = .00003), and pelvic bone D50 by 5% (P = .00003) for 192Ir. For 169Yb, CTV D90 is overestimated by 17% (P = .00003) and rectum D50 by 39% (P = .00003), and pelvic bone D50 is significantly underestimated by 27% (P = .007). Postimplant dosimetry calculations also showed that a 169Yb source would give 20% (P = .00003) lower rectum V60 and 17% (P = .00008) lower rectum D50. CONCLUSIONS: Ignoring high-Z materials in dose calculation contributes to inaccuracies that may lead to suboptimal dose optimization and disagreement between prescribed and calculated dose. This is especially important for low-energy radionuclides. Our results also show that with future magnetic resonance imaging-based treatment planning, loss of CT density data will only affect calculated dose in nonbone OARs by 2% or less and bone OARs by 13% or less across all sources if material composition and nominal mass densities are correctly assigned.

Dosimetric comparison of 60Co and 192Ir high dose rate source used in brachytherapy treatment of cervical cancer.

PURPOSE: The study purpose included dosimetric comparison of cobalt 60 (60Co) and iridium 192 (192Ir) high dose rate (HDR) source used in brachytherapy treatment of cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) scans for 15 patients of carcinoma of uterine cervix using 3-mm slice thickness were considered for the study The contouring of high-risk clinical target volume (HRCTV), bladder, and rectum on CT images was done as per the GEC ESTRO guidelines with the help of magnetic resonance imaging images in the treatment planning system. All parameters were kept the same for 60Co (3.5 mm active length, 0.5 mm active dia, Bebig) and 192Ir (3.5 mm active length, 0.6 mm active dia, Bebig) HDR source with 2.5-mm step size and dose prescription to Point A. As per the International Commission on Radiation Unit (ICRU)-89 guidelines, the dose-volume parameters such as D50(Gy), D90(Gy), and D98(Gy) for HRCTV and D0.1cc (Gy), D1cc (Gy), D2cc (Gy), and D5cc (Gy) to the bladder and rectum were calculated for both the HDR sources. RESULTS: The difference in dose-volume histogram parameters such as D50,D90,and D98 of HRCTV was 3.19%, 1.13%, and 0.50%, respectively, for the two radioisotopes. The difference in dose values of D0.1cc, D1cc, D2cc, D5cc, and ICRU reference points of bladder was -0.58%, -0.67%, -0.99%, -0.94%, and -1.75%, respectively. On the other hand, dose difference for D0.1cc, D1cc, D2cc, D5cc, and ICRU reference points of rectum was 0.67%, 0.26%, 0.56%, 0.63%, and -0.33%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study results show that all the dose parameters of HRCTV, bladder, and rectum with 60Co were comparable with those of 192Ir HDR source. The isodose distribution is more bulge out for 60Co in cranial-caudal direction compared to that of 192Ir. However, these differences can be reduced by treatment planning optimization techniques. The clinical plan evaluation in each slice and plane is necessary to explore the logistic and financial benefits of miniaturized 60Co source over 192Ir HDR source.

Modeling of the direction modulated brachytherapy tandem applicator using the Oncentra Brachy advanced collapsed cone engine.

PURPOSE: The direction modulated brachytherapy (DMBT) magnetic resonance-compatible tandem applicator, made from a tungsten alloy rod, has six symmetric peripheral grooves, designed specifically to enhance intensity modulation capacity through achieving directional radiation dose profiles. In this work, the directional dose distributions of the DMBT tandem were modeled and calculated with the Oncentra Brachy advanced collapsed cone engine (ACE), which was validated against Monte Carlo (MC) calculations. METHODS AND MATERIAL: The prototype 3D tandem applicator model was created for use in the Oncentra Brachy treatment planning system. The 192Ir source was placed inside a DMBT tandem in one and six channels as a single dwell position (DP) per channel with the same index length, as well as 1 DP in a standard tandem. Dose distributions were calculated in a water medium by both ACE and MC and compared. RESULTS: For 1DP/6DP inside the DMBT and 1DP inside the standard tandem, respectively, the mean dose differences were 3.5/3.3% and <2.8% with the range of 0.1%-6.5%/0.2%-5% and 0.1%-5%, between ACE and MC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The DMBT tandem is successfully modeled in a commercial treatment planning system. The ACE algorithm is capable of accurately calculating highly directional dose distributions generated by a dense tungsten alloy contained within the DMBT tandem, with agreements achieved within <3.5%.

A novel rectal applicator for contact radiotherapy with HDR 192Ir sources.

PURPOSE: Dose escalation to rectal tumors leads to higher complete response rates and may thereby enable omission of surgery. Important advantages of endoluminal boosting techniques include the possibility to apply a more selective/localized boost than using external beam radiotherapy. A novel brachytherapy (BT) rectal applicator with lateral shielding was designed to be used with a rectoscope for eye-guided positioning to deliver a dose distribution similar to the one of contact x-ray radiotherapy devices, using commonly available high-dose-rate 192Ir BT sources. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A cylindrical multichannel BT applicator with lateral shielding was designed by Monte Carlo modeling, validated experimentally with film dosimetry and compared with results found in the literature for the Papillon 50 (P50) contact x-ray radiotherapy device regarding rectoscope dimensions, radiation beam shape, dose fall-off, and treatment time. RESULTS: The multichannel applicator designed is able to deliver 30 Gy under 13 min with a 20350 U (5 Ci) source. The use of multiple channels and lateral shielding provide a uniform circular treatment surface with 22 mm in diameter. The resulting dose fall-off is slightly steeper (maximum difference of 5%) than the one generated by the P50 device with the 22 mm applicator. CONCLUSIONS: A novel multichannel rectal applicator for contact radiotherapy with high-dose-rate 192Ir sources that can be integrated with commercially available treatment planning systems was designed to produce a dose distribution similar to the one obtained by the P50 device.

Assessment of a source position checking tool for the quality assurance of transfer tubes used in HDR 192Ir brachytherapy treatments.

PURPOSE: The determination of source positions before treatment is an essential part of the quality assurance (QA) associated with high dose rate brachytherapy treatments. The purpose of this study was to design and commission a tool to allow the quantification of source positions across multiple transfer tube types. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A bespoke flexi-adapter jig, three transfer tube adapters, and a film piercing pointer were designed and built for source position QA across three transfer tube types-the standard, 6 French, and gynae transfer tubes. The jig was calibrated against a manufacturer source position check tool, and intratube and intertube source position variations investigated across a total of 40 transfer tubes, using strips of Gafchromic film irradiated at multiple positions 20 mm apart with a microSelectron V3 afterloader (Elekta, Holland). The performance of the jig in localizing the nominal dwell positions relative to the manufacturer check tool was assessed. Associated expanded uncertainties were quantified in line with the International Organization for Standardization Guidelines. RESULTS: The mean expanded uncertainty associated with the use of the jig was 0.4 ± 0.0 mm (k = 1). The performance of the jig was 0.3 ± 0.0 mm, while the intratube and intertube source positional variations were observed to be within ±1.0 mm across most transfer tubes. CONCLUSIONS: A bespoke flexi-adapter jig capable of allowing source position measurements to be carried out on various transfer tube types has been designed. Measurement results highlight the need for routine QA of all transfer tubes in clinical use.

[Complications and effectiveness of treatment of patients with locally advanced prostate cancer after combined radiotherapy and radical prostatectomy with postoperative radiotherapy].

Treatment for prostate cancer remains a significant social problem due to the continuing trend of growth of morbidity and mortality in Russia from this disease. In recent years a real alternative to surgical treatment is radiotherapy. In treatment of locally advanced stages of prostate cancer radiotherapy plays a dominant role. At our institution from 2005 till 2011, 105 patients with locally advanced prostate cancer underwent complex and combined treatment comprising in the first group the concomitant radiotherapy with Ir-192 and the control group--radical prostatectomy followed by adjuvant remote radiotherapy. In patients treated with concomitant radiotherapy compared to the control group there were occurred fewer number of genitourinary complications according to the RTOG scale (5,8% vs. 32,7%). In patients who had undergone radical prostatectomy followed by adjuvant radiotherapy urinary incontinence was met significantly often.

A Phase I study of high-dose-rate intraluminal brachytherapy as palliative treatment in extrahepatic biliary tract cancer.

PURPOSE: To determine the recommended dose of endoscopically assisted high-dose-rate intraluminal brachytherapy (HDR-192Ir-ILBT) as a palliative treatment of extrahepatic biliary tract cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with non-metastatic extrahepatic biliary cancer with age <80 years, unsuitable for surgical resection or radiochemotherapy for comorbidities or Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) ≥2 or patients with age ≥80 years were included. They were undergone to implantation of metal stents by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography followed by HDR-192Ir-ILBT. The initial dose of HDR-192-Ir-ILBT was 15 Gy. Three levels of dose were planned. At each dose level almost three patients were treated, and if no Grade 3-4 toxicity (considering as dose-limiting toxicity) was recorded, dose escalation was applied with 5 Gy increments until the maximum tolerated dose was established. A high dose Iridium-192 after loading system was used (Nucletron Microselectron HDR). RESULTS: From May 2007 to January 2010, 18 patients underwent HDR-192Ir-ILBT, with one catheter in 12 patients and two catheters in six patients. Three levels of dose were planned: 15 Gy in three patients, 20 Gy in nine patients, and 25 Gy in six patients with daily dose of 500 cGy per fraction. One patient at Dose Level II experienced acute toxicity (cholangitis) related to brachytherapy procedure, so the cohort was expanded. No patient of Level III had a dose-limiting toxicity and we stopped at this dose level waiting to assess the late toxicity that has not yet appeared at the time of the analysis. Six months and 1 year overall survival was 77% and 59%, respectively, with a median of 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: The recommended dose was defined as 25 Gy in five fractions. It will be used in a Phase II study to better evaluate tumor and symptom control in patients with extrahepatic biliary tract cancer.

[End of the commercialisation of (192)Ir wires in France: proposals of the groupe de Curiethérapie de la SFRO]. / Arrêt de la commercialisation des fils d'iridium 192 en France : proposition du groupe de curiethérapie de la Société française de radiothérapie oncologique.

In 2014, the production of iridium 192 wires in France ended. Thus brachytherapy departments had to move to high-dose rate and pulsed-dose rate afterloading techniques. Most of them had already made this migration for some indications, based on the habits and investments. The brachytherapy group organised meetings and opened discussions to share the clinical knowledge and answer to the questions raised by this migration. This made it possible to resolve and describe quite all the clinical and technical cases of brachytherapy. The development of high technology included the use of 3D dosimetry and optimisation of dose distribution and fractionation. The teaching policy of new technologies contributes to the improvement of treatment quality. Last but not least, a better reimbursement of brachytherapy is necessary and currently negotiated.

External beam radiotherapy plus single-fraction high dose rate brachytherapy in the treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) plus high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRB) as a boost in patients (pts) with intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From 2002 to July 2012, 377 pts with a diagnosis of intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer were treated with EBRT plus HDRB. Median patient age was 66 years (range, 41-86). Most patients (347 pts; 92%) were classified as high-risk (stage T2c-T3, or PSA>20 ng/mL, or GS ⩾ 8), with 30 patients (8%) considered intermediate risk. All patients underwent EBRT at a prescribed dose of 60.0 Gy (range, 45-70 Gy) to the prostate and seminal vesicles. A total of 120 pts (31%) received a dose of 46 Gy (45-50 Gy) to the true pelvis. All pts received a single-fraction 9 Gy (9-15 Gy) HDR boost. Most patients (353; 94%) were prescribed complete androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Overall survival (OS), cause-specific survival (CSS), and biochemical relapse-free survival (BRFS) rates were calculated. In the case of BRFS, patients with <26 months of follow-up (n=106) were excluded to minimize the impact of ADT. RESULTS: The median follow-up for the entire sample was 50 months (range, 12-126), with 5-year actuarial OS and CSS, respectively, of 88% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 84-92) and 98% (95% CI: 97-99). The 5-year BRFS was 91% (95% CI: 87-95) in the 271 pts with ⩾ 26 months (median, 60 months) of follow-up. Late toxicity included grade 2 and 3 gastrointestinal toxicity in 17 (4.6%) and 6 pts (1.6%), respectively, as well as grades 2 and 3 genitourinary toxicity in 46 (12.2%) and 3 pts (0.8%), respectively. CONCLUSION: These long-term outcomes confirm that EBRT plus a single-fraction HDRB boost provides good results in treatment-related toxicity and biochemical control. In addition to the excellent clinical results, this fractionation schedule reduces physician workload, treatment-related expenses, patient discomfort and risks associated with anaesthesia. We believe these findings support the use of single-fractionation boost techniques.

[Brachytherapy in France: current situation and economic outlook due to the unavailability of iridium wires]. / Curiethérapie en France : état des lieux et perspectives économiques après l'arrêt de la commercialisation des fils d'iridium.

In 2013, about 6000 patients were treated with brachytherapy, the number diminishing by 2.6% per year since 2008. Prostate, breast and gynecological cancers are the most common types of cancers. Since 2008, the number of brachytherapy facilities has decreased by 18%. In medicoeconomic terms, brachytherapy faces many problems: the coding system is outdated; brachytherapy treatments cost as much as internal radiation; fees do not cover costs; since iridium wire has disappeared from the market, the technique will be transferred to more expensive high-speed or pulse dose rates. The French financing grid based on the national study of costs lags behind changes in such treatments and in the best of cases, hospitals resorting to alternatives such as in-hospital brachytherapy are funded at 46% of their additional costs. Brachytherapy is a reference technique. With intense pressure on hospital pricing, financing brachytherapy facilities will become even more problematic as a consequence of the disappearance of iridium 192 wires. The case of brachytherapy illustrates the limits of the French financing system and raises serious doubts as to its responsiveness.

Dose rate in brachytherapy using after-loading machine: pulsed or high-dose rate?

Since February 2014, it is no longer possible to use low-dose rate 192 iridium wires due to the end of industrial production of IRF1 and IRF2 sources. The Brachytherapy Group of the French society of radiation oncology (GC-SFRO) has recommended switching from iridium wires to after-loading machines. Two types of after-loading machines are currently available, based on the dose rate used: pulsed-dose rate or high-dose rate. In this article, we propose a comparative analysis between pulsed-dose rate and high-dose rate brachytherapy, based on biological, technological, organizational and financial considerations.

Dose error from deviation of dwell time and source position for high dose-rate 192Ir in remote afterloading system.

The influence of deviations in dwell times and source positions for (192)Ir HDR-RALS was investigated. The potential dose errors for various kinds of brachytherapy procedures were evaluated. The deviations of dwell time ΔT of a (192)Ir HDR source for the various dwell times were measured with a well-type ionization chamber. The deviations of source position ΔP were measured with two methods. One is to measure actual source position using a check ruler device. The other is to analyze peak distances from radiographic film irradiated with 20 mm gap between the dwell positions. The composite dose errors were calculated using Gaussian distribution with ΔT and ΔP as 1σ of the measurements. Dose errors depend on dwell time and distance from the point of interest to the dwell position. To evaluate the dose error in clinical practice, dwell times and point of interest distances were obtained from actual treatment plans involving cylinder, tandem-ovoid, tandem-ovoid with interstitial needles, multiple interstitial needles, and surface-mold applicators. The ΔT and ΔP were 32 ms (maximum for various dwell times) and 0.12 mm (ruler), 0.11 mm (radiographic film). The multiple interstitial needles represent the highest dose error of 2%, while the others represent less than approximately 1%. Potential dose error due to dwell time and source position deviation can depend on kinds of brachytherapy techniques. In all cases, the multiple interstitial needles is most susceptible.

High-dose-rate brachytherapy alone given as two or one fraction to patients for locally advanced prostate cancer: acute toxicity.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate early urinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events (AEs) after two or one fraction of high-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) in advanced prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 165 patients were treated with 2 × 13 Gy (n=115), or a single dose of 19 Gy (n=24) or 20 Gy (n=26) HDR-BT. Early AEs were assessed using the RTOG scoring system and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). RESULTS: Week-2 prevalence of severe IPSS symptoms was higher after 20 Gy than after 26 or 19 Gy but by 12 weeks all groups were at pre-treatment levels or less. Grade-3 GU toxicity was observed ≤9% of patients. No Grade 4 GU and no Grade 3 or 4 GI complications were observed. However, there was a significant increase in catheter use in the first 12 weeks after implant after 19 and 20 Gy compared with 2 × 13 Gy. CONCLUSION: Single dose HDR-BT is feasible with acceptable levels of acute complications; tolerance may have been reached with the single 19 Gy schedule.