Objective To investigate the long-term
efficacy and
complications of
brachytherapy in early stage
prostate cancer.
Methods The data of 117 cases of early stage
prostate cancer patients were analyzed,
aged from 51 to 84 years,with an average of 73 years.The PSA ranged from 0.4 to 47.6 μg/L (14.7 in average),
Gleason score ranged from 4 to 9 (6.4 in average),clinical stage ranged from T1b to T2c,the
prostate volume ranged from 13 to 69 ml (31 ml in average),and the positive
biopsy rate was 8%to 100% (45% in average).The low-
risk,intermediate-
risk and high-
risk prostate cancer were 22,29 and 66 cases.Biochemical no evidence of
disease (bNED),overall
survival and
complications were recorded.Results Followed up from 19 to 114 months (84 months in average),33 cases had biochemical
recurrence (bNED rate,72%).Twelve
patients died,among which 4
patients died of
prostate cancer.The overall
survival rate was 90%,and the
cancer-specific
survival rate was 97%.The bNED rates in low-
risk,intermediate-
risk and high-
risk groups were 86%,79% and 64%,and the difference was significant among the 3groups (P=0.040).The overall
survival rates were 100%,90% and 86%,with no significant difference among the 3 groups (P=0.189).
Urinary retention occurred in 11 cases (9%),among which 1
patient had
TURP treatment.No serious
complications such as
rectal fistula occurred.Conclusions The long-term
efficacy of
brachytherapy in early stage
prostate cancer is definite with few
complications.With a mean followup of 7 years,the bNED rate was 72% and the overall
survival rate was 90%.