Research progress on high-dose-rate brachytherapy of localized prostate cancer / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Brachytherapy has played an important role in localized prostate cancer. High-dose-rate brachytherapy has evolved over the decades, as either monotherapy or in combination with external beam, it offers many advantages over other treatment alternatives. Precise control over dose delivery allows for focal dose escalation while sculpting dose around organs at risk to maintain excellent tolerance. The high dose per fraction exploits the low α/β ratio of prostate cancer and triggers transcriptional changes in the tumor genome, thereby enhancing radiation sensitivity. In this article, the development, patient selection, application of techniques, clinical efficacy and adverse events for high-dose-rate brachytherapy were summarized.