Treatment outcomes and morbidity following definitive brachytherapy with or without external beam radiation for the treatment of localized prostate cancer: 20-year experience at Mount Sinai Medical Center

Abstract

Objectives: To present our treatment algorithm and 20-year experience in treating prostate cancer with brachytherapy since 1990, with focus on cancer-control outcomes and treatment-related morbidity.

Methods and materials: We selected patients treated for localized prostate cancer with brachytherapy, combination therapy with external beam radiotherapy, and adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy as prescribed by our Mount Sinai risk stratification and treatment algorithm. Outcomes were analyzed with respect to biochemical failure, distant metastases, prostate cancer-specific survival, and overall survival. Morbidity was assessed with respect to urinary, sexual, and rectal outcomes.

Results: In total, 2,495 patients met inclusion criteria. The 12-year actuarial freedom from biochemical failure was 83% (low risk: 90%, intermediate risk: 84%, and high risk: 64%); freedom from distant metastasis was 95%; prostate cancer-specific survival was 95%; and overall survival was 70%. On multivariate analysis, significant associations were found between cancer control and risk group, total biologically effective dose, and androgen deprivation therapy. With regard to morbidity, potency was preserved in 61%, and urinary symptoms improved in 35%. The 12-year actuarial freedom from urinary retention events was 90% and from severe rectal bleed was 93%.

Conclusions: Brachytherapy, as administered via the Mount Sinai algorithm, remains an efficacious and benign treatment option for patients with localized prostate cancer of all risk groups.

Keywords: Biochemical control; Brachytherapy; Morbidity; Prostate cancer; Radiation; Survival.