Low-Dose-Rate or High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy in Combination With External Beam Radiotherapy for Intermediate and High-Risk Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Introduction. One of the main problems of modem on-courology is treatment for prostate cancer of intermediate and high risk of progression. Modern radiotherapy in this category of patients has an advantage over surgical methods of treatment. One way to improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy is to escalate the dose in the prostate gland. For this purpose a combination of brachytherapy and remote radiotherapy is used. This combination allows increasing the dose of radiation, thereby providing better local control, reducing complications from neighboring organs. Purpose of the study. To conduct a comparative analysis of efficacy and safety of radical treatment of patients with prostate cancer at medium and high risk of progression using a combination of high and low dose rate brachytherapy with external beam radiotherapy. Materials and methods. 107 patients with prostate cancer of the group of medium and high risk of progression combined treatment (brachytherapy with external beam radiotherapy) was conducted. 53 patients underwent combined treatment (HDR-brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy). 54 patients underwent combined treatment (LDR-brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy). The observation period was 5 years. Conclusion. In a comparative analysis in groups of combined radiotherapy with the use of high-dose and low-dose-rate brachytherapy, the same effectiveness of immediate and long-term results of treatment was demonstrated. A significant reduction in early and late toxic reactions in patients with high-power brachytherapy has been demonstrated.