Second malignancies after permanent implant prostate cancer brachytherapy: A single-institution study of 675 patients treated between 1999 and 2003.

PURPOSE: To analyse the rate of secondary malignancies observed in a series of 675 prostate cancer patients who underwent a permanent implant brachytherapy between 1999 and 2003, and to compare the incidence with the expected rate in a matched general French population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cohort included low-risk patients and a selection of "favourable-intermediate" risk patients. All patients were homogeneously treated using an intraoperative dynamic planning prostate brachytherapy technique, with loose 125-iodine seeds and a prescription dose of 145Gy. The mean follow-up was 132 months. RESULTS: The 10-year overall survival for the entire cohort was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 90-94). The 10-year relapse-free survival rate was 82% (95% CI: 79-85). Overall, 61 second cancers were registered. When comparing with a matched general French population, the standard incidence ratio (SIR) for bladder cancer was 1.02 (95% CI: 0.46-1.93). For colorectal cancer, the SIR was 0.45 (95% CI: 0.19-0.89). For lung cancer, the SIR was 0.38 (95% CI: 0.17-0.76). The SIR for all cancers was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.47-0.79). When excluding secondary colorectal and lung cancers (both with low SIRs in this series), the SIR for all cancers was 1.06 (95% CI: 0.77-1.29). CONCLUSION: With a mean follow-up of more than 11 years, this series does not detect any excess risk of second cancers associated with permanent implant prostate brachytherapy. However, due to power limitation, a small increase in the risk of secondary malignancies cannot be totally ruled out.

Long-term results of permanent implant prostate cancer brachytherapy: A single-institution study of 675 patients treated between 1999 and 2003.

PURPOSE: To analyse long-term overall survival, relapse-free survival and late toxicities in a series of 675 patients treated between 1999 and 2003, with a median follow-up of 132 months. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cohort included low-risk patients and a selection of "favourable-intermediate" risk patients. All patients were homogeneously treated using an intraoperative dynamic planning prostate brachytherapy technique, with loose 125 iodine seeds. Hormone therapy, consisting most often of an anti-androgen alone, was given in 393 patients (58%). RESULTS: The 10-year overall survival was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 90-94) without a significant difference between the low and the select intermediate-risk groups (P=0.17). The 10-year relapse-free survival rate for the entire cohort was 82% (95% CI: 79-85), and was significantly higher in the low-risk group than in the intermediate one (87 vs 71%; P<0.0001). Twenty-six percent of the relapses observed in this series occurred after more than 10 years of follow-up. The 10-year cumulative incidence of grade 3-4 urinary toxicity (whatever the delay and the recovery) was 5.78%. The cumulative incidence of grades 3-4 rectal toxicity in the present series was 1.65% at 10 years. As for sexual toxicity, 61% of our patients retained an erectile capacity at 10 years (with or without oral medication), with age being a major factor. CONCLUSION: With a median follow-up of more than 11 years, this series appears to confirm the excellent long-term results of low-dose rate prostate brachytherapy, both in terms of survival and in terms of toxicity.

[Prognostic factors of upper tract urothelial carcinoma]. / Facteurs pronostiques des tumeurs de la voie excrétrice urinaire supérieure.

INTRODUCTION: Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare disease. Thus, little evidence-based data are available to guide clinical decision-making. The aim of the study was to provide an overview of the currently available prognostic factors for UTUC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed databases to identify original articles regarding prognostic factors in patients with UTUC. RESULTS: We divided the prognostic factors for UTUC in four different categories: clinical factors, preoperative characteristics, intraoperative/surgical factors and postoperative/pathologic factors. Prognostic factors described in order of importance are: tumor stage and grade, lymph node involvement, a concomitant cis, age at the diagnostic, lymphovascular invasion, tumor architecture and necrosis, tumor location and multifocality, gender. The impact of obesity, smoking and other comorbidities (ECOG, ASA) on outcomes has been recently reported but needs to be validated. The endoscopic approach of distal ureter management during radical nephroureterectomy has been shown to be at higher risk of bladder recurrence. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of such prognosticators into clinical prediction models might help to guide decision-making with regard to timing of surveillance, type of treatment, performance of lymphadenectomy, and consideration of neoadjuvant or adjuvant systemic therapies.

[Pronostic value of ureteral location of upper tract urinary carcinoma]. / Impact pronostique de la localisation urétérale dans les tumeurs de la voie excrétrice supérieure.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of the ureteral location of the upper tract urinary carcinoma (UTUC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2007, 161 patients with UTUC were operated in our center. Tumors were located on renal pelvis in 51% of cases, on the ureter in 34% of cases and in both locations in 15% of cases. Nephroureterectomy was performed in 79.5% of cases (128/161) whereas a conservative treatment was performed in 20.5% of cases (33/161). RESULTS: In our series, 29.8% of patients had primary bladder cancer and 14.3% had synchronous bladder tumor. At a median follow-up of 42.5 months, 38.6% of patients developed bladder recurrence and 4.8% developed controlateral upper tract tumor. In multivariate analysis, ureteral location and existence of synchronous bladder tumor were independent prognostic factors of bladder recurrence (P=0.009 and P=0.025, respectively). Multivariate analysis retained T-stage and ureteral location as independent prognostic factors in both overall and disease-free survival (P=0.002 and P=0.0008 respectively for ureteral location). CONCLUSION: Ureteral location was an independent prognostic factor of bladder recurrence and was associated with a poorer prognosis.

Endorectal 3D T2-weighted 1mm-slice thickness MRI for prostate cancer staging at 1.5Tesla: should we reconsider the indirects signs of extracapsular extension according to the D'Amico tumor risk criteria?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of a 3D-endorectal 1mm-thick slices MRI acquisition for local staging of low, intermediate and high D'Amico risk prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 178 consecutive patients underwent a multiparametric MRI protocol prior to radical prostatectomy (RP). T2W images were acquired with the 3D sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolutions (SPACE) sequence (5mn acquisition time). Direct and indirect MRI signs of extracapsular extension (ECE) were evaluated to predict the pT stage. The likelihood of SVI (seminal vesicle invasion) was also assessed. RESULTS: Histology showed ECE and SVI in 38 (21%) and 12 (7%) cases, respectively. MRI sensitivity and specificity to detect ECE were 55 and 96% if direct signs of ECE were used and 84 and 89% (p<0.05), if both direct and indirect signs were combined. D'Amico criteria did not influence MRI performance. Sensitivity and specificity for SVI detection were 83% and 99%. CONCLUSIONS: 3D data sets acquired with the SPACE sequence provides a high accuracy for local staging of prostate cancer. The use of indirect signs of ECE may be recommended in low D'Amico risk tumors to optimise patient selection for active surveillance or focal therapy.

[Healing and targeted therapies: Management in perioperative period?]. / Cicatrisation et thérapies ciblées : quelles précautions en période périopératoire ?

INTRODUCTION: In the era of new-targeted therapies and neoadjuvant strategies, this article highlights the role of angiogenesis in the process of physiological wound healing with a review of literature about parietal complications under anti-angiogenic therapies. METHODS: Research on Medline was carried out using the terms renal cell carcinoma, angiogenesis, wound healing, targeted therapies, and complications. RESULTS: The frequency of these complications varies between 5 and 50% in recent series. These results depend on half-lives of each drug and perioperative management (before and after surgical procedure). CONCLUSION: In the absence of current recommendations, it is advised to stop bevacizumab at least five weeks before a surgical intervention and to take it back 4 weeks later. For the tyrosine kinase inhibitors, the treatment can be stopped 24-48 hours before the surgery and taken back 3-4 weeks later. Finally, for the mTOR inhibitors, it is advised to stop the treatment 7-10 days before and to take back it at least 3 weeks later.

Multiparametric MRI is helpful to predict tumor focality, stage, and size in patients diagnosed with unilateral low-risk prostate cancer.

To study the staging accuracy of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients showing unilateral low-risk cancer on prostate biopsy. A total of 58 consecutive patients with low-risk cancer (D'Amico classification) and unilateral cancer involvement on prostate biopsies were included prospectively. All patients underwent multiparametric endorectal MRI before radical prostatectomy, including T2-weighted (T2W), diffusion-weighted (DW) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) sequences. Each gland was divided in eight octants. Tumor foci >0.2 cm(3) identified on pathological analysis were matched with MRI findings. Pathological examination showed tumor foci >0.2 cm(3) in 50/58 glands (86%), and bilateral tumor (pathological stagepT2c) in 20/58 (34%). For tumor detection in the peripheral zone (PZ), T2W+DWI+DCE performed significantly better than T2W+DWI and T2W alone (P<0.001). In the transition zone (TZ), only T2W+DWI performed better than T2W alone (P=0.02). With optimal MR combinations, tumor size was correctly estimated in 77% of tumor foci involving more than one octant. Bilateral tumors were detected in 80% (16/20) of cases. In patients with unilateral low-risk prostate cancer on biopsy, multiparametric MRI can help to predict bilateral involvement. Multiparametric MRI may therefore have a prognostic value and help to determine optimal treatment in such patients.

[Spermatic cord sarcoma in adults: diagnosis and management]. / Les sarcomes du cordon spermatique de l'adulte : diagnostic et prise en charge.

PURPOSE: to clarify the patterns of diagnosis and management of adult spermatic cord sarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: between 1996 and 2009, seven patients with spermatic cord sarcoma were treated at Cochin hospital. After updating the pathological diagnosis according to the new classification of sarcoma we found that all patients had well-differentiated or dedifferentiated liposarcoma. We analysed their clinical presentation, management and carcinological outcome. RESULTS: the patients' age ranged from 51 to 77 years, and their follow-up from 7 to 68 months. In five patients, the diagnosis of well-differentiated liposarcoma (lipoma-like) with some dedifferentiated sectors was made straightaway. In the two other patients, the initial diagnosis was that of leiomyosarcoma, which was reconsidered as dedifferentiated liposarcoma according to the cytogenetical and immunohistochemical techniques available since 2005. In 6/7 patients, a tumour resection with an orchiectomy at the same time (four patients) or secondarily (two patients) was performed. In one patient, only a tumour resection, without orchiectomy, was made. Multiple recurrences were observed in the two patients who were initially diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma. They needed multiple reintervention. One of them died after 68 months of evolution, the other one was treated with chemotherapy and died after 47 months of evolution. Four patients are out of recurrence. One patient was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: the diagnosis of liposarcoma must be considered in all adult patients aged of more than 50 with fatty-shaped or containing fibomuscular nodules paratesticular tumours. The surgeon and the pathologist must be well informed and an early and wide resection of fatty masses of the sperm cord with negative margins is advocated. The quality of resection is crucial but its appreciation and carrying out are difficult. The role of complementary treatments, especially radiotherapy, has to be determined.

[Quantitative dynamic MRI and localisation of non-palpable prostate cancer]. / IRM dynamique quantitative et localisation du cancer de prostate non palpable.

PURPOSE: To determine whether quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI improves the performance of T2W-MRI for the localisation of non-palpable prostate cancer (PCa) and for the estimation of tumor volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients (PSA: 8.91+/-6.2ng/m) with a non-palpable cancer underwent endorectal MRI with T2W and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) imaging before radical prostatectomy. Each level of evaluation (apex, mid-portion, base) was divided in eight areas (24 areas per prostate and 552 areas for the 23 patients). Localisation and volume of tumor foci greater than 0,2cc present on the radical prostatectmoy specimens were retrospectively correlated to their MR appearance on the 552 evaluated areas. The dynamic parameters included capillary permeability (K(trans)), maximum concentration of gadolinium after 60s of perfusion ([Gd]) and wash-out (K(ep)). Uni- and multivariate analysis were performed to determine which parameters were predictive of PCa. RESULTS: Mean values of K(trans), K(ep) and [Gd] were significantly higher in the 58 tumor foci greater than 0,2 cm(3) of the PZ and the TZ (all p<0.05). Logistic regression for each zone provides provided a value of the area under the ROC curve of 0.83 for the PZ and 0.81 for the TZ (0.7 and 0.75, respectively, for the T2W imaging), only significant for the PZ (p<0.002). Sensitivity and specificity were 79 and 77% for the PZ, 62.5 and 94% for the TZ. Above 0,2 cm(3), tumor volume on dynamic MR showed a mean difference of 51+/-100% (range: -145 to +248%). CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative dynamic MRI is more accurate than T2W imaging for tumor localisation of non-palpable cancer greater than 0,2 cm(3), but the difference is only significant for the PZ. Above this volume, correlation between tumor volume measured on dynamic MRI and that on the specimen is poor.

[Preoperative factors of misdiagnosis of renal angiomyolipoma]. / Facteurs associés à l'échec du diagnostic préopératoire des angiomyolipomes rénaux.

OBJECTIVES: To explain the high incidence of misdiagnosis of angiomyolipoma (AML) prior to surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1989 and 2007, 2,657 patients were operated for a renal tumor at Dupuytren hospital in Limoges and at Cochin hospital in Paris. In 85 cases (3.2%), tumors were AMLs on pathology. The group of patients in which the diagnosis was done preoperatively was compared to the one in which the diagnosis was missed. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 57-years-old and the sex-ratio was five women for one man. The mean size of AMLs was 5.4 cm. The patients were symptomatic in 46% of cases (39/85). The diagnosis of AML was ignored preoperatively in 62 patients (73%). In multivariate analysis, the small size of the AML, low proportion of fat and male sex were significantly associated with misdiagnosis of AML (p<0.001, p<0.018 and p<0.008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of misdiagnosis of AML preoperatively is high. The diagnosis seems particularly difficult when the tumor is small or contains a small proportion of fat. In addition, this study highlights that the diagnosis of AML is frequently ignored in men. The increased resolution of CTscan and the use of preoperative biopsies for tumors less than 4 cm could be helpful to decrease the incidence of useless surgery of AMLs.

[Use of double J ureteral stent as an alternative to prevent ureteroileal anastomosis stricture in orthotopic bladder substitution]. / Etude comparative du drainage urétéral par sonde double J ou sonde urétérale après cystectomie-entéroplastie.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare ureteroileal anastomosis strictures rates in patients receiving either double J stent or open-ended ureteral stent, after bladder replacement for cancer. METHODS: Medical charts from 75 patients who underwent cystectomy and Z pouch bladder substitution for bladder cancer, between 2001 and 2005, were retrospectively reviewed. Ureteroileal anastomosis was direct, spatulated end-to-side fashioned in all patients. Double J stents were used in 39 patients (group A) and open-ended ureteral stent were used in 36 patients (group B). Mean hospital stay, early and late complications were also observed. RESULTS: Seventeen anastomotic strictures have been documented during the follow-up: 5.2% in group A versus 18.3% in group B (p=0.012). Mean catheterization period was six weeks in group A and 12 days in group B. No significant differences were found in mean hospital stay, early and late complications. CONCLUSION: The use of internal double J ureteral stent is now a feasible option and can decrease the rate of anastomotic stricture. The fact that the double J stent is removed after the anastomosis healing period may be a possible explanation.

[Testicular implants, patient's and partner's satisfaction: a questionnaire-based study of men after orchidectomy]. / Prothèses testiculaires après orchidectomie: enquête de satisfaction auprès des patients et de leurs partenaires.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the satisfaction of men and of their partner towards their testicular implants after undergoing orchidectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hundred and twenty-four consecutive patients, who had undergone orchidectomy, and their partner were sent an anonymous questionnaire. The follow-up after the implantation was at least one year. The testicular implants used were all Perthèse. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients answered to the questionnaire, among whom 63 had a testicular implant. Fifty-eight partners answered. From the patients with implant, 5% thought their body image was worse than before the operation and 80% thought their sexual activity was unchanged. Ninety-six percent thought the implantation was worthwhile and would do it again if they had to do the choice again. The reasons for dissatisfaction were: for the shape (n=8), for the size (n=3), for the position (n=2) and one patient thought the implant was too cold. Forty percent of the partners did not care about the implants and 58% thought the implant was essential. The dissatisfaction rate for the partners was 26% and reasons for were: for the shape (n=5), for the size (n=2), and one partner thought the implant was too cold. From the patients without implant, only one is thinking about having one. CONCLUSION: Testicular implants are well accepted, but some reasons of dissatisfaction appeared in our study. It was the first evaluation of the partner's satisfaction.

[Permanent implant prostate cancer brachytherapy]. / La curiethérapie du cancer prostatique par implants permanents.

With an experience of more than 20 years for the pionneers (and more than 10 years in France), permanent implant brachytherapy using Iodin 125 seeds is now recognized as a valuable alternative therapy for localized low-risk prostate cancer patients. An extension of the indications of exclusive brachytherapy towards selected patients in the intermediate-risk group is presently under study. Moreover, for patients in the high-risk group, brachytherapy, as an addition to external radiotherapy, could represent one of the best way to escalate the dose for some patients. Various permanent implant brachytherapy techniques have been proposed; preplanning or real-time techniques, loose seeds or stranded seeds, manual or automatic injection of the seeds. The main point here is the ability to perfectly master the procedure and to comply with the dosimetric constraints which have been recently redefined by the Groupe européen de curiethérapie--European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (GEC-ESTRO) group. Mid- and long-term results which are now available in the literature indicate relapse-free survival of about 90% at 5-10 years, the best results being obtained with satisfactory dosimetric data. Some comparative data have shown that the incontinence and impotence rates after brachytherapy seemed to be significantly inferior to what is currently observed after surgery. However, a risk of about 3-5% of urinary retention is usually reported after brachytherapy, as well as an irritative urinary syndrome which may be significant and last several months. In spite of those drawbacks, with excellent long-term results and low rates of incontinence and impotence, brachytherapy can be expected to be proposed to an increasing number of patients in France in the next future.

[Conformal radiotherapy to 76Gy in localized prostate cancer. Therapeutic modalities and preliminary results]. / Radiothérapie conformationnelle à 76Gy des cancers localisés de la prostate. Modalités thérapeutiques et résultats préliminaires.

PURPOSE: To describe therapeutic modalities for localized prostate cancer treated by conformal radiation to 76Gy with or without androgen ablation. To evaluate the preliminary results in terms of survival, biological control and toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between January 1998 and June 2001, 321 patients with localized prostate cancer were irradiated at institut Curie. Tumors were stratified into the three Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center prognostic groups (1998) for analysis: favorable risk group (FG) 23%, intermediate risk group (IG) 36.5%, unfavorable risk group (UG) 40.5%. Androgen deprivation, mainly neoadjuvant, less or equal to one year was prescribed to 93.8% of patients (72.6% less or equal to six months). Planning target volume prescription doses were: prostate: 76Gy, seminal vesicles: 56 to 76Gy, and pelvic lymph nodes: 44Gy to 16.8% of patients. RESULTS: The five-year actuarial overall survival was 94% (95% IC: 90-97%). The median post-therapeutic follow-up was 36 months (nine to 60 months). The 48-month actuarial rates of biochemical control for the three prognostic groups were statistically different according to both the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology consensus (ASTRO 1997) and the Fox Chase Cancer Center definitions of biochemical failure (FCCC 2000) with respectively 87 and 94% for FG, 78 and 84% for IG, 54 and 58% for UG (P<10(-6) and P<10(-8)). At time of our analysis, late post-treatment rectal and bladder bleedings were 17,4 and 13,6%, respectively. According to a 1-4 scale adapted from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center criteria: rectal bleedings were grade 1 (9.6%), grade 2 (6.2%) and grade 3 (1.6%). Bladder bleedings were grade 2 (13%) and grade 3 (0.6%). Analysis of rectal bleeding risk factors showed significant correlations with pelvic lymph nodes irradiation for grade 2 and 3, (P=0.02), and for all grades, a correlation with smaller rectal wall volumes (P=0.03), and greater percentages of rectal wall irradiated to higher doses: 65, 70, 72 and 75Gy (P=0.02, P=0.01, P=0.0007 and P=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results are comparable to those previously reported with the same follow-up. Impact of dose escalation with short androgen deprivation on local control, survival and complications needs longer follow-up and further analysis.

[Clinical and dosimetric analysis of 469 prostate cancer patients treated in France in 2005 by permanent implant brachytherapy using the Iodin 125 seeds IsoSeed Bebig: report to the French Economic committee of health products (CEPS)]. / Analyse clinique et dosimétrique de 469 patients traités en France en 2005 par implantation prostatique de grains d'iode 125 IsoSeed Bebig: rapport pour le Comité économique des produits de santé (CEPS).

A French decree of February 3rd 2005, allowed the Iodin 125 seeds from several companies to be reimbursed after a permanent implantation brachytherapy for a prostate cancer. Within this frame, the French "Comité économique des produits de santé" (CEPS; Economic committee for health products) made mandatory the annual writing and publication of a follow-up study with three main aims; make sure that the seeds were used for prostate cancer patients with criterias corresponding to the national recommendations, analyze the quality of the dosimetric data, and report all side effects, complications and possible accidents. We therefore report here a clinical and dosimetric analysis of 469 patient cases treated in France in nine centers in 2005 with the Iodin 125 IsoSeed Bebig. This analysis shows that: 1) The national recommendations for selecting patients for exclusive prostate brachytherapy have been taken into account in 97% of the cases; 2) The dosimetric quality criterias totally fulfilled the recommendations in a large majority of cases; the intra-operative D90 was found to be superior to 145 Gy in 98% of the patients, and the intra-operative V100 was superior to 95% in 96% of the cases; 3) The early toxicity (mainly urinary) was found to be at the lower range of what is reported in the literature, with in particular a retention rate of 2.4%.

[PSA bounce after permanent implant prostate brachytherapy may mimic a biochemical failure]. / Influence sur les résultats des rebonds du PSA après curiethérapie de prostate: étude de 295 cas avec trois ans de suivi.

PURPOSE: To assess the frequency of the PSA "bouncing" phenomenon after a significant follow-up in a series of patients treated by permanent implant brachytherapy for a prostate cancer. To look for the clinical and dosimetric parameters possibly linked to this transitory secondary PSA increase. To evaluate in which percentage of cases this bouncing could have mimicked a biochemical relapse according to the ASTRO consensus criteria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1999, to December 2001, 295 patients were treated by a permanent prostate implantation (real-time technique, with free (125)I seeds- Isoseed Bebig-) by the Institut Curie-Hôpital Cochin-Hôpital Necker Paris group. The mean follow-up is 40.3 months (9-66 months). The PSA level was regularly checked, at least every 6 months. We defined as a "bouncing" all increase in PSA, starting at 0.1 ng/ml, subsequently followed by a spontaneous (without any treatment) decrease, with return to the previous level or lower. We particularly focused on the patients fulfilling the criteria for a biochemical relapse according to the ASTRO consensus (Three successive increases in PSA). A multivariate analysis tried to identify independent factors among the usual clinical and dosimetric parameters. RESULTS: In our series, 161 patients (55%) showed a transitory PSA increase (bouncing) of at least 0.1 ng/ml; 145 patients (49%) a bouncing of 0.2 ng/ml, 93 patients (32%) a bouncing of 0.4 ng/ml and 43 patients (15%) a bouncing of at least 1 ng/ml. Mean PSA bounce was 0.8 ng/ml (0.1-4.1), and mean time to bounce was 19 months. Thirty-two patients (11% of the total number) presented three successive PSA increases with a significant (3 months) interval between the dosages, and therefore were to be considered as being in biochemical relapse according to the ASTRO consensus criteria. Actually, among those 32 patients, 18 (56%) subsequently showed a complete normalization of their PSA, without any treatment. Ten patients went on increasing their PSA, and were considered to be really in biochemical relapse. For the last 4 patients, the situation still remains ambiguous. In multivariate analysis, age<70 years (P<0.00001) and D90>200 Gy (P<0.003) were identified as independent factors for a PSA bouncing of at least 0.4 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: The observed rate of 32% of patients showing a PSA bouncing of at least 0.4 ng/ml in our series is in good agreement with what has been previously reported in the literature. Age<70 years and D90>200 Gy were found to be independent factors predicting for such a secondary transitory increase in PSA. Interestingly, among 32 patients fulfilling the classical criteria of the ASTRO for a biochemical relapse, 18 (56%) subsequently showed a spontaneous PSA decrease, demonstrating that the ASTRO consensus is not well adapted to the biochemical follow-up of our patients undergoing permanent implant prostate Brachytherapy.

[Brachytherapy for prostate cancer: old concept, new techniques]. / La curiethérapie du cancer prostatique: une idée ancienne, des techniques modernes.

Whereas it has been proposed almost one century ago, brachytherapy for prostate cancer has only recently emerged, especially thanks to endorectal echography, allowing to visualize seed implantation, to the development of seeds for permanent delivery and of micro-sources for high-dose rate delivery, and also to the development of three-dimension dosimetry programs allowing real-time implantations. For selected patients with localized prostate cancer (PSA < 10, Gleason < 7, no extracapsular extension, volume < 50-60 g), prostate brachytherapy with permanent implants (iodine 125 or, less frequently, palladium 103) gives results which appear at 10-15 years comparable to those of surgery. Incontinence and impotence rates appear lower than those of classical surgery. However, the first post-implant months are usually accompanied by urinary toxicity that should not be minimized. High-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR) could find its indications, in combination with conformal radiotherapy, in the treatment of more advanced forms, presenting an intermediate risk. It could also be an alternative to brachytherapy with permanent implants for the low-risk forms mentioned above, especially in developing countries where the cost of radioactive seeds slows down the use of this technique. Brachytherapy for prostate cancer should, therefore, find more and more indications, because of the increased incidence of prostate cancer, due to population ageing, of the increased proportion of localized forms, due to better detection, of the patient's request for less toxicity, and of the expecting lowering of the costs, which are now equivalent to those of surgery and should further lower.

[Iodin 125 seed migration after prostate brachytherapy: a study of 170 patients]. / Migration des grains d'iode 125 après curiethérapie prostatique: étude d'une série de 170 patients.

PURPOSE: To study the number of migrating seeds, the anatomical site of migration and possible predictive parameters of migration, after prostate cancer brachytherapy using a loose-seed (I125) implantation technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The charts of the 170 patients consecutively treated by the Institut Curie/Hospital Cochin/Hospital Necker Group between September 1, 2001 and August 31, 2002, were analysed. All seeds having migrated to the lungs and seen on the chest X-ray systematically performed at 2 months, have been recorded, as well as the seeds lost by the urines (after sieving) or in the sperm (condom). RESULTS: Among 12,179 implanted seeds, 44 were found to have migrated (0.36%). Most of the migrating seeds (32/44; 73%), were found in the lungs. Overall, one or several seed migrations were observed in 35 patients (21% of the total number of patients in this series). In the majority of cases (77%), only one seed migrated. A significant relationship (P = 0.04) was found between the number of migrating seeds and the number of implanted ones (or with the prostate volume, but those two parameters were closely linked in our series). More specifically, a significant relationship (P = 0.02) could be demonstrated between the number of seeds implanted at the periphery of the prostate and the number of seeds migrating to the lungs. CONCLUSION: The percentage of migrating seeds observed in this series is low, actually one of the lowest found in the literature when using the loose-seed technique. There was no clinical consequences and the loss of-usually-only one seed is very unlikely to alter the quality of the dose distribution. However, the predominance of pulmonary migrations in our series led us to slightly modify our implantation technique. We now try to avoid too "peripheral" seed implantations, due to the risk of migration towards the periprostatic veins, and subsequently to the lungs.

[CT and MR image fusion using two different methods after prostate brachytherapy: impact on post-implant dosimetric assessment]. / Comparaison de deux méthodes de recalage d'images de scanographie et d'IRM en curiethérapie prostatique. Intérêt pour l'évaluation thérapeutique.

PURPOSE: To study different methods of CT and MR images fusion in patient treated by brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. To compare the results of the dosimetric study realized on CT slices and images fusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen cases of patients treated by I125 were retrospectively studied. The CT examinations were realized with contiguous section of 5mm thickness, and MR images were obtained with a surface coil with contiguous section of 3 mm thickness. For the images fusion process, only the T2 weighted MR sequence was used. Two processes of images fusion were realized for each patient, using as reference marks the bones of the pelvis and the implanted seeds. A quantitative and qualitative appreciation was made by the operators, for each patient and both methods of images fusion. The dosimetric study obtained by a dedicated software was realized on CT images and all types of images fusion. The usual dosimetric indexes (D90, V100 and V150) were compared for each type of image. RESULTS: The quantitative results given by the software of images fusion showed a superior accuracy to the one obtained by the pelvic bony reference marks. Conversely, qualitative and quantitative results obtained by the operators showed a better accuracy of the images fusion based on iodine seeds. For two patients out of three presenting a D90 inferior to 145 Gy on CT examination, the D90 was superior to this norm when the dosimetry was based on images fusion, whatever the method used. CONCLUSION: The images fusion method based on implanted seed matching seems to be more precise than the one using bony reference marks. The dosimetric study realized on images fusion could allow to rectify possible errors, mainly due to difficulties in surrounding prostate contour delimitation on CT images.

Intermittent androgen suppression in patients with prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate intermittent androgen suppression (IAS) in patients with prostate cancer and to try to define predictive factors for biochemical progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1989 to 2001, 146 patients received IAS as a primary treatment for localized, advanced or metastatic prostate cancer (72 men) or as a treatment for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) and/or radiation therapy (74 men). Androgen-deprivation treatment (ADT) was continued up to 6 months after PSA became undetectable or a nadir PSA level was reached. ADT was then re-instituted when the PSA level was> 4 ng/mL for patients who had RP or> 10 ng/mL for the others. RESULTS: After a mean (range) follow-up of 45.6 (12-196.9) months, 24 patients had biochemical progression. These patients were younger than those with no biochemical progression (67 vs 72 years, P = 0.004) and had a statistically higher Gleason score (7.21 vs 6.52, P = 0.01) and PSA level (111.1 vs 32.1 ng/mL, P = 0.05), and a shorter first phase without treatment (7.6 vs 11.2 months, P = 0.05). Overall 5-year metastatic disease free survival of 91.3%. The overall 5-year biochemical recurrence-free survival was 68%. Using multivariate analysis, a Gleason score of >or= 8 (P = 0.021), first-phase duration with no treatment of < 1 year (P = 0.044), positive lymph nodes or metastatic disease at the time of starting IAS (P = 0.023) and age < 70 years (P = 0.037) were the strongest predictors of biochemical progression. CONCLUSION: IAS appeared to be a feasible treatment; the best candidates being those aged> 70 years with localized prostate cancer and a Gleason score of