Previous transurethral resection of the prostate is not a contraindication to high-dose rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse retrospectively the morbidity and efficacy of high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy in patients who had a previous transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Morbidities documented in the records of 32 patients with previous TURP and 106 with no previous TURP, treated with HDR brachytherapy for prostate cancer at our institution, were analysed and compared. All patients received HDR brachytherapy as a boost before conformal external beam radiotherapy. We recorded and analysed genitourinary complications, rectal morbidity, and the biochemical control rate as assessed by the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level.

RESULTS

All complications of patients who received HDR brachytherapy were recorded during the follow-up. All gastrointestinal and genitourinary complications were not significantly different in patients with or without previous TURP. There was little incontinence or severe morbidity associated with HDR brachytherapy. The PSA-based biochemical control rates were similar in patients with or without previous TURP in each risk group.

CONCLUSIONS

HDR brachytherapy is a reasonable treatment for localized prostate cancer in patients who have had a previous TURP, with the expectation of low morbidity and satisfactory biochemical control.