The results of real-time brachytherapy for the management of low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer in patients with prostate volumes up to 100mL

Study Type - Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Historically, the majority of centres in the UK practise a pre-plan brachytherapy technique which is limited to prostate volumes 50mL were compared. RESULTS * Overall PSA relapse-free survival was 98.8%; 97.0% for intermediate-risk patients and 100.0% for low-risk patients. By volume, 98.5% of men with standard prostates were free from PSA relapse compared with 100.0% of men with large prostates. * The mean post-implant D90 was 177.0Gy; 175.5Gy in standard prostates and 183.5Gy in large prostates. * The overall acute urinary retention rate was 1.9%; 1.7% in standard prostates and 2.4% in large prostates. There were three urethral strictures, all in the standard prostate group. The mean IPSS increased to 11 and 14 at 3 months for the standard and large prostate groups, respectively, before settling to 2 above baseline for both groups at 12 months. * There were no rectovesical fistulae. Persistent rectal bleeding was reported by one (0.5%) patient in the standard prostate group. CONCLUSIONS * Prostate