Outpatient ultrasound-guided palladium 103 brachytherapy for localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate: a preliminary report of 434 patients.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of palladium 103 (Pd-103) brachytherapy in Stage T1 and T2 adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

METHODS

Charts of 474 patients treated between 1991 and 1996 with transperineal real-time ultrasound-guided Pd-103 implants were reviewed to assess post-treatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and follow-up biopsy results. Of 474 patients, 434 had sufficient data for this report. The implant technique used allows precise placement of seeds and accurate dose delivery of the entire prostate. Preoperative neoadjuvant leuprolide (Lupron) and flutamide (Eulexin) were given selectively to reduce prostate size greater than 50 cc and for Gleason grade lesions greater than 7.

RESULTS

Of 434 patients, successful cancer control was demonstrated in 81% of patients by a decrease in PSA levels to less than 1.5 ng/mL at 1 year. Biopsies were negative in 88% of patients 1 year after the procedure and in 89% at 2 years. Analysis of the data suggests that patients with pretreatment PSA levels less than 10 ng/mL had the best outcomes. There were no disease-related deaths; the predominant morbidity was short-term bladder and bowel irritation without permanent sequelae. Incontinence occurred in less than 5% of patients who had undergone prior transurethral resection of the prostate. Impotence occurred in less than 15% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The technique used in this study proved effective in reducing PSA levels to less than 1.5 ng/mL and in producing negative biopsies 1 and 2 years postoperatively. Results are comparable to external-beam radiation therapy, demonstrating a significant reduction in morbidity.