ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine whether dose distribution achieved with treatment plans using high- and low-activity (125)I implants differs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on intraoperative transrectal ultrasound scans of 71 patients, inverse automated treatment plans (IATP) were performed with 15.5-kBq (0.42-mCi) and 25.2-kBq (0.68-mCi) (125)I implants using a commercial 3-D planning system (Variseed). A prescription dose of 145 Gy in 98% of the prostate volume (V100), a maximum dose to the urethra of 250 Gy (D1), and a maximum dose to 10% of the anterior rectal wall of 145 Gy (D10) were required. The plans were manually corrected, if necessary. RESULTS: In the IATP, a better dose coverage of the prostate was found for high-activity seeds (V100 of 98% vs 84%). The prostate dose values increased with the prostate volume. After manual optimization, the differences were only marginal with a prostate V100 of 99% for both activities, a urethra D1 of 247 Gy and 239 Gy, and a rectum D10 of 135 Gy and 124 Gy for high- and low-activity seeds. Low-activity seeds required more sources (66 vs 47) and needles (24 vs 17; all numbers are median values). CONCLUSIONS: Concerning the prostate dose coverage, high-activity seeds are superior in the IATP. After manual adjustment, the dose values for the prostate and the organs at risk are similar. Considering a supposedly decreased toxicity and a shorter implantation time for a lower number of seeds, we recommend high-activity seeds for experienced teams.
Subject(s)
Brachytherapy/methods , Iodine Radioisotopes/therapeutic use , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods , Humans , Male , Prostate/anatomy & histology , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Prostatic Neoplasms/surgery , Radiotherapy Dosage , Regression Analysis , Ultrasonography , Urethra/radiation effectsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Early stage prostate cancer can be treated successfully by interstitial brachytherapy with 125-iodine seeds. A quality-assurance programme is presented that was designed for this purpose for internal clinical use. Furthermore the requirements of the new German Ordinance Governing Radiation Protection (StrlSchV) that came into force on August 1, 2001, are taken into account. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For the 125-iodine monotherapy of the prostate we used RAPID STRANDS (Amersham Health, Braunschweig, Germany). According to the guidelines of the new Ordinance Governing Radiation Protection, the determination of the body dose of the staff is made to rely on the new measurement quantities H(p) (10) and H(p) (0.07). The nominal air kerma rate of the seeds is measured with a calibrated well-chamber of the type HDR 1000 Plus and an electrometer of the type MAX 4000 (Standard Imaging Inc., USA). The ultrasound images of the prostate are produced by an ultrasound device of the type Falcon 2101 (B-K Medical, Denmark). For treatment planning the programme VariSeed (Varian, Darmstadt, Germany) was employed. Correct loading of the needles is controlled by autoradiography before implantation. After the implantation radiation-protection measurements in the operating room are carried out. RESULTS: As regards the personnel, for the depth personal dose equivalent Hp(10) and relating to two applications each, measurement values between 0 microSv and 14 microSv resulted. The control of the radiation exposure of the hands revealed superficial personal dose values H(p) (0.07) of up to 1 mSv. The nominal air kerma rates of the RAPID STRANDS were all lying within the 95% confidence interval guaranteed by the producer. The autoradiographs documented -- except for one case -- the correct loading of the needles. The interstitial transperineal prostate implantation of the 125-iodine seeds succeeded as planned with all patients. Until now no contamination of the operating room was detected by the radiation-protection measurements. CONCLUSION: The physical-technical quality assurance programme presented here covers the whole physical-technical range of the internal clinical quality assurance and could be integrated into the course of the treatment without any problems. It has th following advantages: The autoradiographic documentation of the correctly loaded needles serves as proof that the prerequisite for the production of the prescribed physical dose distribution is fulfilled. The internal clinical determination of the nominal air kerma rate is the basis for a correct dose application.
Subject(s)
Brachytherapy , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Quality Assurance, Health Care , Radiation Protection/standards , Germany , Humans , Iodine Radioisotopes/adverse effects , Iodine Radioisotopes/therapeutic use , Male , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Quality Assurance, Health Care/legislation & jurisprudence , Radiation Protection/legislation & jurisprudence , Radiometry/standardsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Interstitial brachytherapy with I-125 seeds can be used for successful treatment of early stage prostate cancer. There is presented the technique of permanent transperineal implantation of I-125 seeds with intraoperative treatment planning which is suited for the treatment of prostate cancer up to the clinical stage of T2a. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Some weeks before the implantation of the seeds the prostate volume is determined using transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) so as to estimate the required number of I-125 seeds. At the outset of the treatment the prostate is stabilized by two perineally inserted needles. Subsequently there is carried out an ultrasound guided treatment planning that allows to optimize the distribution of the seeds within the prostate. In interstitial brachytherapy we use RAPID STRANDS((R)), i. e. the I-125 seeds are embedded in vicryl suture at distances of 1 cm. During implantation of the I-125 seeds the transversal placement of the applicator needles is controlled by TRUS and the cranio-caudal placement of the applicator needles is controlled using the fluoroscopic unit as well as TRUS. About 4 weeks after the implantation of the seeds there is carried out a postoperative computation of the dose distribution of the implant using CT imaging. RESULTS: The procedure possesses the advantage that ultrasound imaging, treatment planning and seed implantation are carried out with the prostate remaining in an unaltered position. During implantation the combined imaging of TRUS and fluoroscopy allows a safe placement of the seeds with in the prostate. CONCLUSION: The methods for the calculation of the actually attained dose distribution must still be optimized, because the postoperative examination of the individual results has so far been possible only with difficulties resulting from methodological inconveniences.