Radiotherapy in localized prostate cancer: a multicenter analysis evaluating tumor control and late toxicity after brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy in 1293 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Comparing oncological outcomes and toxicity after primary treatment of localized prostate cancer using HDR- or LDR-mono-brachytherapy (BT), or conventionally (CF) or moderately hypofractionated (HF) external beam radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, patients with low- (LR) or favorable intermediate-risk (IR) prostate cancer treated between 03/2000 and 09/2022 in two centers were included. Treatment was performed using either CF with total doses between 74 and 78 Gy, HF with 2.4-2.6 Gy per fraction in 30 fractions, or LDR- or HDR-BT. Biochemical control (BC) according to the Phoenix criteria, and late gastrointestinal (GI), and genitourinary (GU) toxicity according to RTOG/EORTC criteria were assessed. RESULTS: We identified 1293 patients, 697 with LR and 596 with IR prostate cancer. Of these, 470, 182, 480, and 161 were treated with CF, HF, LDR-BT, and HDR-BT, respectively. For BC, we did not find a significant difference between treatments in LR and IR (p = 0.31 and 0.72). The 5­year BC for LR was between 93 and 95% for all treatment types. For IR, BC was between 88% in the CF and 94% in the HF group. For CF and HF, maximum GI and GU toxicity grade ≥ 2 was between 22 and 27%. For LDR-BT, we observed 67% grade ≥ 2 GU toxicity. Maximum GI grade ≥ 2 toxicity was 9%. For HDR-BT, we observed 1% GI grade ≥ 2 toxicity and 19% GU grade ≥ 2 toxicity. CONCLUSION: All types of therapy were effective and well received. HDR-BT caused the least late toxicities, especially GI.

Prostate cancer radiotherapy in Austria: overview on number of patients, intention to treat, and treatment techniques based on data from 2007.

PURPOSE: Aim of this analysis was to assess the current status of prostate cancer radiotherapy in Austria and compare these numbers to patients treated with surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all 14 Austrian departments asking about numbers of prostate cancer patients treated and indication of treatment (primary, postoperative), as well as the treatment technique used (3D-CRT, IMRT, brachytherapy), treatment volumes (with/without pelvic irradiation), dose applied, and differences in treatment concepts. Data investigated were based on the year 2007. RESULTS: Of the 14 departments (65%), 9 departments decided to participate. A total of 1,191 prostate cancer patients were treated (847 primary, 344 postoperative). Primary patients were treated by external beam technique (91%) and permanent interstitial brachytherapy (9%). All postoperative patients were treated by 3D-CRT. Dose ranged from 70-78 Gy for primary patients and from 60-72 Gy for postoperative patients. A risk-adapted dose prescription was performed in 5 centers. Additional pelvic lymph node irradiation was based on signs of positive nodes in 4 departments and based on Roach formula/Partin table in 5 departments. CONCLUSION: About 25% of prostate cancer patients receive primary radiotherapy. This number reflects a high potential to conduct national studies. Treatment technique and dose applied was in all centers investigated in accordance with the German S3 guidelines.

Pilot study in the treatment of endometrial carcinoma with 3D image-based high-dose-rate brachytherapy using modified Heyman packing: clinical experience and dose-volume histogram analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate dose distribution within uterus (clinical target volume [CTV]) and tumor (gross tumor volume [GTV]) and the resulting clinical outcome based on systematic three-dimensional treatment planning with dose-volume adaptation. Dose-volume assessment and adaptation in organs at risk and its impact on side effects were investigated in parallel. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sixteen patients with either locally confined endometrial carcinoma (n = 15) or adenocarcinoma of uterus and ovaries after bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (n = 1) were included. Heyman packing was performed with mean 11 Norman-Simon applicators (3-18). Three-dimensional treatment planning based on computed tomography (n = 29) or magnetic resonance imaging (n = 18) was done in all patients with contouring of CTV, GTV, and organs at risk. Dose-volume adaptation was achieved by dwell location and time variation (intensity modulation). Twelve patients treated with curative intent received five to seven fractions of high-dose-rate brachytherapy (7 Gy per fraction) corresponding to a total dose of 60 Gy (2 Gy per fraction and alpha/beta of 10 Gy) to the CTV. Four patients had additional external beam radiotherapy (range, 10-40 Gy). One patient had salvage brachytherapy and 3 patients were treated with palliative intent. A dose-volume histogram analysis was performed in all patients. On average, 68% of the CTV and 92% of the GTV were encompassed by the 60 Gy reference volume. Median minimum dose to 90% of CTV and GTV (D90) was 35.3 Gy and 74 Gy, respectively. RESULTS: All patients treated with curative intent had complete remission (12/12). After a median follow-up of 47 months, 5 patients are alive without tumor. Seven patients died without tumor from intercurrent disease after median 22 months. The patient with salvage treatment had a second local recurrence after 27 months and died of endometrial carcinoma after 57 months. In patients treated with palliative intent, symptom relief was achieved. No severe acute and late side effects (Grade 3/4) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Sectional image-based three-dimensional treatment planning on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging is feasible in definitive brachytherapy of endometrial carcinoma and enables by the use of dwell time and location adaptation a sufficient coverage of GTV and major parts of CTV. Local control in this limited number of patients is excellent and rate of side effects minimal.

Biochemical response after 3-d conformal radiotherapy of localized prostate cancer to a total dose of 66 gy 4-year results.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of 3-D conformal radiotherapy (CRT) doses of /= 70 Gy should be considered. As a consequence of our earlier analysis a prospective multicenter treatment optimization protocol has been initiated in 1999. The protocol includes a risk-adapted dose increase from 70 Gy in low-risk patients to 74 Gy in high-risk patients including short-term androgen ablation.