BACKGROUND The purpose of the study is to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome through biochemical no evidence of disease (bNED) rates among men with low to intermediate risk prostate cancer treated with two different brachytherapy implant techniques: preoperative planning (PP) and real-time planning (IoP). METHODS From June 1998 to July 2011, 1176 men with median age of 67 years and media...

The purpose is to demonstrate the ability to generate clinically acceptable prostate permanent seed implant plans using two seed types which are identical except for their activity. The IPSA inverse planning algorithms were modified to include multiple dose matrices for the calculation of dose from different sources, and a selection algorithm was implemented to allow for the swapping of source ...

PURPOSE To gain insight into the accuracy of brachytherapy treatments, the accuracy of implant reconstruction and dose delivery was investigated in 33 radiotherapy institutions in The Netherlands and Belgium. MATERIALS AND METHODS The accuracy of the implant reconstruction method was determined using a cubic phantom containing 25 spheres at well-known positions. Reconstruction measurements we...

PURPOSE We evaluated the post-operative pattern of prostate volume (PV) changes following prostate brachytherapy (PB) and analyzed variables which affect swelling. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-nine patients treated with brachytherapy (14) or combined brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy modality (15) underwent pre- and post-implant computed tomography (CT). Prostate volume measurements...

External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is a standard treatment for prostate cancer. Despite the development of novel radiotherapy techniques such as intensity-modulated conformal radiotherapy, the risk of local recurrence after EBRT has not been obviated. Various local treatment options (including salvage prostatectomy, brachytherapy, cryotherapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound [HIFU]) have b...

PURPOSE Nomograms once had a vital role in prostate brachytherapy practice. Although some of their functions have been assumed by computerized dosimetry, many programs still find them useful to determine the number and strength of seeds to be ordered in advance of the implant. As it has been demonstrated that brachytherapists differ in their implant practices and preferences (in regard to seed ...

Permanent prostate brachytherapy is frequently performed worldwide, and many studies have demonstrated its favorable outcomes. Implant seeds used in this procedure contain a precise amount of radionuclide and are completely sealed. Because these seeds are not manufactured in Japan, they are expensive (6300 yen per seed) and therefore need careful management as a radioisotope. The proper implant...

PURPOSE To evaluate the outcomes of patients presenting with cancer at the base of the prostate after brachytherapy as monotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who had undergone transperineal ultrasound-guided implantation with (125)I or (103)Pd seeds as monotherapy between March 1998 and December 2006, at our institution. A minimum fol...

BACKGROUND Combination of permanent interstitial brachytherapy based on radioactive iodine with external beam radiotherapy is an alternative to other treatment modalities, such as radical prostatectomy or external beam radiotherapy alone in patients with intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer. In this article we report our experience with this combination modality. METHODS Among patients...

PURPOSE To provide updated American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) guidelines for transrectal ultrasound-guided transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy (PPB). METHODS AND MATERIALS The ABS formed a committee of brachytherapists and researchers experienced in the clinical practice of PPB to formulate updated guidelines for this technique. Sources of input for these guidelines ...