Is high dose rate brachytherapy reliable and effective treatment for prostate cancer patients? A review of the literature

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2015 Jun;94(3):360-70. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2015.02.003. Epub 2015 Feb 17.

Abstract

The intrinsic physical and radiobiological characteristics of High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HDR-BT) are well suited to the treatment of prostate cancer. HDR-BT was initially used as a boost to external beam brachytherapy, but has subsequently been employed as the sole treatment, which is termed HDR monotherapy. This review summarizes the clinical outcomes and toxicity results of the principal studies and discusses the radiobiological basis supporting its use.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00807820 NCT01045148 NCT01605097 NCT01655836 NCT01851018.

Keywords: Brachytherapy boost, Radiobiology.; HDR-BT; High-dose rate brachytherapy; Prostate cancer; Salvage brachytherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brachytherapy* / adverse effects
  • Brachytherapy* / methods
  • Dose Fractionation, Radiation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Radiotherapy Dosage*
  • Salvage Therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00807820
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01045148
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01605097
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01655836
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01851018