Preliminary observations on the results of combined 125iodine seed implantation and external irradiation for carcinoma of the prostate.

Fifty-seven patients with localized carcinoma of the prostate were treated with pelvic lymphadenectomy and a reduced 125iodine implant dosage, supplemented by a moderate dose of external beam radiotherapy to the whole pelvis delivered 4 to 6 weeks later. The incidence of pelvic nodal metastases was 28 per cent and the operative morbidity was 15 per cent. Late radiation sequelae developed in 18 patients, including 15 patients with radiation proctitis (29 per cent), among whom 2 (4.6 per cent) suffered rectal ulceration and required diverting colostomy. Followup has been 2 years or longer (median 33 months) in 26 patients, of whom 22 (85 per cent) are free of disease. Three patients are living with osseous metastases or local disease and there has been 1 death of prostatic carcinoma, for an absolute 2-year survival rate of 95 per cent. Of the 7 patients with poorly differentiated tumor and of the 8 patients with positive pelvic lymph nodes 5 and 6, respectively, remain free of disease after a minimum 2-year followup. Potency has been lost in 20 per cent and reduced significantly in 30 per cent of the patients followed 18 months or longer. Prostatic biopsies on 28 asymptomatic patients 12 to 30 months after completion of therapy showed no tumor in 21 (75 per cent).