Prospective evaluation of quality of life after permanent prostate brachytherapy with I-125: Importance of baseline symptoms and of prostate-V150

Relationship between changes in quality of life and genitourinary toxicity grade after brachytherapy with I-125 alone for localised prostate cancer

Background

The relationship between the grading of toxicities based on toxicity criteria and longitudinal changes in quality of life (QOL) scores after permanent prostate brachytherapy (PPB) for localized prostate cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate these relationships.

Materials and methods

We assessed 107 patients treated with PPB using Iodine-125 alone from May 2007 to April 2010. Disease-specific QOL scores before PPB and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after PPB were retrospectively evaluated with the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC), focusing on urinary domains. Toxicities were graded using the Radiation therapy oncology group and the European organization for research and treatment of cancer toxicity criteria.

Results

The median follow-up duration was 116 (range 18-148) months. Thirty-four patients (31.8%) developed grade ≥ 2 acute genitourinary (GU) toxicities; six (5.6%) developed grade ≥ 2 late GU toxicities. The general urinary domain score dropped significantly at 1 month (77.1 ± 14.1) post-PPB compared to the baseline score (92.2 ± 8.2), and then gradually returned to the baseline level by 12 months (93.7 ± 8.3) post-PPB. Reductions in the general urinary domain scores, including its subscale scores at 1, 3, and 6-months post-PPB were significantly greater among patients with grade ≥ 2 GU toxicity than among those with grade 0-1 GU toxicity. Changes in urinary domain scores demonstrated a close relationship with acute GU toxicity grades after PPB.

Conclusions

Longitudinal assessments of the EPIC QOL scores provided additional information regarding time-course changes in GU toxicities after PPB.

Patient-reported outcomes after treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this systematic review is to assess the impact of primary treatments with curative intention in patients with localized prostate cancer, measured with Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs), and to examine differences among modalities within treatments.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature search for January 2005-March 2017 following PRISMA guidelines, including longitudinal studies measuring disease-specific PROs in localized prostate cancer patients with a follow-up from pre- to post-treatment (≥1 year). Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. The study is registered in PROSPERO: CRD42015019747.

RESULTS

Of 148 identified studies, 60 were included in the meta-analyses. At the 1st year, radical prostatectomy patients showed small urinary irritative-obstructive improvement (0.37SD 95%CI 0.30, 0.45), but large deterioration for sexual function and incontinence with high heterogeneity (I² = 77% and 93%). Moderate worsening in external radiotherapy patients for sexual function (-0.46SD 95%CI -0.55, -0.36), small urinary incontinence (-0.16SD 95%CI -0.23, -0.09) and bowel impairment (-0.31SD 95%CI -0.39, -0.23). Brachytherapy patients presented small deterioration in urinary incontinence (-0.29SD 95%CI -0.39, -0.19), irritative obstructive symptoms (-0.35SD 95%CI -0.47, -0.23), sexual function (-0.12SD 95%CI -0.24, -0.002), and bowel bother (-0.27SD 95%CI -0.42, -0.11). These patterns persisted up to the 5th year. High-intensity focused ultrasound and active surveillance only have results at 1st year, showing no statistically significant worsening.

CONCLUSIONS

No remarkable differences in PRO appeared between modalities within each treatment. Nowadays, available evidence supports brachytherapy as possible alternative to radical prostatectomy for patients seeking an attempted curative treatment limiting the risk for urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

Dosimetry advantages of intraoperatively built custom-linked seeds compared with loose seeds in permanent prostate brachytherapy

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the implant quality between intraoperatively built custom-linked seeds (IBCL) and loose seeds (LS) retrospectively.

Material and methods

This study included 74 prostate cancer patients who were treated with permanent prostate brachytherapy (PPB) using IBCL (n = 37) or LS (n = 37) between July 2014 and June 2016. Dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters, seed migration, and operation time were compared between the IBCL and LS groups. In addition to the standard target volume of the whole prostate gland, DVH parameters for prostate plus a 3 mm margin (CTV) were evaluated.

Results

In intraoperative planning, prostate V₁₅₀ was lower (54.8% vs. 59.6%, p = 0.027), and CTV V₁₀₀ (88.1% vs. 85.6%, p = 0.019) and D₉₀ (98.5% vs. 92.6%, p = 0.0033) were higher in the IBCL group compared with in the LS group. In post-implant dosimetry, prostate V₁₀₀ (96.9% vs. 95.2%, p = 0.020), CTV V₁₀₀ (85.6% vs. 81.7%, p = 0.046), and CTV D₉₀ (94.2% vs. 86.5%, p < 0.001) were higher, and prostate V₁₅₀ (57.1% vs. 64.5%, p = 0.0051) and CTV V₁₅₀ (31.5% vs. 35.7%, p = 0.046) were lower in the IBCL group compared with in the LS group. Regarding DVH changes between intraoperative planning and post-implant dosimetry, the decrease in prostate D₉₀ was significantly lower in the IBCL group than in the LS group (–1.16% vs. –4.17%, p < 0.001). For the IBCL group, the operation time was slightly but significantly longer than that for the LS group (50.5 minutes vs. 43.7 minutes, p = 0.011). However, the seed migration rate was significantly lower in the IBCL group than in the LS group (5% vs. 41%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Intraoperatively built custom-linked is more advantageous than LS in terms of dosimetric parameters and migration.

Cone-beam CT-based adaptive planning improves permanent prostate brachytherapy dosimetry: An analysis of 1266 patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate adaptive planning for permanent prostate brachytherapy and to identify the prostate regions that needed adaptation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

After the implantation of stranded seeds, using real-time intraoperative planning, a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-scan was obtained and contoured. The positions of seeds were determined on a C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-scan. The CBCT-scan was registered to the TRUS-scan using fiducial gold markers. If dose coverage on the combined image-dataset was inadequate, an intraoperative adaptation was performed by placing remedial seeds. CBCT-based intraoperative dosimetry was analyzed for the prostate (D90, V100, and V150) and the urethra (D30). The effects of the adaptive dosimetry procedure for Day 30 were separately assessed.

RESULTS

We analyzed 1266 patients. In 17.4% of the procedures, an adaptation was performed. Without the dose contribution of the adaptation Day 30 V100 would be < 95% for half of this group. On Day 0, the increase due to the adaptation was 11.8 ± 7.2% (1SD) for D90 and 9.0 ± 6.4% for V100. On Day 30, we observed an increase in D90 of 12.3 ± 6.0% and in V100 of 4.2 ± 4.3%. For the total group, a D90 of 119.6 ± 9.1% and V100 of 97.7 ± 2.5% was achieved. Most remedial seeds were placed anteriorly near the base of the prostate.

CONCLUSION

CBCT-based adaptive planning enables identification of implants needing adaptation and improves prostate dose coverage. Adaptations were predominantly performed near the anterior base of the prostate.

Long-term anorectal, urinary and sexual dysfunction causing distress after radiotherapy for anal cancer: a Danish multicentre cross-sectional questionnaire study

AIM

The objective of primary radiotherapy for anal cancer is to remove cancer while maintaining anorectal function. However, little is known about anorectal function among long-term survivors without colostomy. Using a cross-sectional questionnaire study, we examined symptoms and distress related to the dysfunction of pelvic organs after radiotherapy for anal cancer.

METHOD

A questionnaire regarding anorectal, urinary and sexual symptoms was sent to anal cancer patients without recurrence or colostomy, diagnosed during 1996-2003, and treated with curative intent (chemo)radiotherapy at three Danish centres. For each symptom we assessed frequency and severity and the level of symptom-induced distress (no, little, moderate or great distress).

RESULTS

Of 94 eligible patients, 84 (89%) returned the completed questionnaire at a median of 33 months after radiotherapy. Incontinence for solid stools, liquid stools and gas occurred at least monthly in 31%, 54% and 79% of patients, respectively. Overall 40% of patients reported great distress from incontinence for solid or liquid stools at least monthly. Faecal urgency occurring at least monthly was experienced by 87% of patients and caused great distress in 43%. Stress, urge or another type of urinary incontinence occurred at least monthly in 45% and caused great distress in 21%. Urinary urgency occurred at least monthly in 48% but only caused great distress in 14%. Sexual desire was severely decreased in 58% and only 24% were satisfied with their sexual function.

CONCLUSION

Distressing long-term anorectal and sexual dysfunction was common after radiotherapy for anal cancer, and morbidity due to urinary dysfunction was moderate.

Impact of post-implant dosimetric parameters on the quality of life of patients treated with low-dose rate brachytherapy for localised prostate cancer: results of a single-institution study

Background

To assess the relationship between dosimetric parameters and the quality of life (QL) outcomes of patients with low-intermediate-risk localised prostate cancer (LPC) treated with low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT).

Materials and methods

We evaluated the participants in two consecutive prospective studies of the QL of patients treated with LDR-BT for LPC. QL was evaluated by means of a patient-completed questionnaire assessing non functional [physical (PHY) and psychological (PSY) well-being, physical autonomy (POW), social relationships (REL)] and functional scales [urinary (URI), rectal (REC), and sexual (SEX) function]; a scale for erectile function (ERE) was included in the second study. Urethra (D10 ≤ 210 Gy) and rectal wall constraints (V100 ≤ 0.5 cc) were used for pre-planning dosimetry and were assessed with post planning computerized tomography one month later for each patient.

Results

QL was assessed in 251 LPC patients. Dosimetry did not influence the non-functional scales. As expected, a progressive impairment in sexual and erectile function was reported one month after LDR-BT, and became statistically significant after the third year. Rectal function significantly worsened after LDR-BT, but the differences progressively decreased after the 1-year assessment. Overall urinary function significantly worsened immediately after LDR-BT and then gradually improved over the next three years. Better outcomes were reported for V100 rectal wall volumes of ≤ 0.5 cc and D10 urethra values of ≤ 210 Gy.

Conclusions

The findings of this study show that dosimetric parameters influence only functional QL outcomes while non-functional outcomes are only marginally influenced.

Quality of life in very elderly radiotherapy patients: a prospective pilot study using the EORTC QLQ-ELD14 module

PURPOSE

In very elderly cancer patients, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a particularly important issue but has rarely been studied due to a lack of specific instruments and of reference data. We performed a prospective analysis of HRQOL in patients ≥80 years undergoing radiotherapy with the newly validated elderly-specific HRQOL module EORTC QLQ-ELD14.

METHODS

We prospectively assessed HRQOL in n = 50 radiotherapy patients ≥80 years (32% lung, 20% gastrointestinal, 8% each of breast, head and neck, gynecologic cancer) at the start (t1), end (t2), and 6 months after (t3) radiotherapy, using EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-ELD14. Overall survival was determined in the whole cohort and subgroups.

RESULTS

Median overall survival from the start of radiotherapy was 15 months; 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates were 57.1 and 31.0%, respectively. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status <2, Charlson comorbidity index ≤6, curative treatment intention, local tumor stage Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC I, II), and total dose >45 Gy were associated with prolonged survival. No significant changes in any HRQOL domain were observed during the course of treatment (t1 to t2). Six months after radiotherapy (t3), a significant and clinically relevant deterioration of HRQOL was seen in EORTC QLQ-C30 for physical function and role function and in EORTC QLQ-ELD14 for future worries, burden of illness, and family support.

CONCLUSIONS

In radiotherapy patients ≥80 years, HRQOL was maintained until the end of radiotherapy but deteriorated in general and elderly-specific areas thereafter, suggesting a need to develop specific supportive interventions for this age group.

Factors influencing urinary symptoms 10 years after permanent prostate seed implantation

PURPOSE

We investigated the factors that influenced urinary symptoms in the first 10 years after prostate brachytherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 1,932 men were treated with prostate brachytherapy alone or with external beam irradiation and followed a mean of 6.8 years. The influence of pretreatment American Urological Association symptom score (7 or less, 8 to 19, 20 or greater), external beam radiotherapy, (125)I or (103)Pd, biological effective dose, age, prostate size and hormone therapy on the change in American Urological Association symptom score (11,491) was compared.

RESULTS

The mean change from initial score (7.4) was 11.4, 5.5, 3.3, 2.7, 1.5, 1.2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1.3 and 1.4 points at 3, 6 months and 1 to 10 years, respectively (p <0.001). Factors that resulted in a greater increase in urinary symptoms at year 1 were low pretreatment score (p <0.001), no hormonal therapy (p <0.001), younger age (p = 0.046) and higher biological effective dose (p = 0.025). At 10 years patients with an initial score of 20 or greater had an average decrease of 11 points compared to a decrease of 0.9 for an initial score of 8 to 19 and an increase of 2.7 for an initial score of 7 or less (p <0.001). On linear regression the scores at 1 year were influenced by initial score (p <0.001), biological effective dose (p = 0.022), prostate size (p <0.001) and hormonal therapy (p = 0.009). At 10 years only the pretreatment score remained significant (p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

There is minimal change in mean American Urological Association symptom score (1.4 points) 10 years after prostate brachytherapy. Patients presenting with high initial scores have the greatest improvement from baseline. Biological effective dose, external beam radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, isotope, patient age and prostate size do not appear to influence long-term urinary symptoms.

Image guided, adaptive, accelerated, high dose brachytherapy as model for advanced small volume radiotherapy

Brachytherapy has consistently provided a very conformal radiation therapy modality. Over the last two decades this has been associated with significant improvements in imaging for brachytherapy applications (prostate, gynecology), resulting in many positive advances in treatment planning, application techniques and clinical outcome. This is emphasized by the increased use of brachytherapy in Europe with gynecology as continuous basis and prostate and breast as more recently growing fields. Image guidance enables exact knowledge of the applicator together with improved visualization of tumor and target volumes as well as of organs at risk providing the basis for very individualized 3D and 4D treatment planning. In this commentary the most important recent developments in prostate, gynecological and breast brachytherapy are reviewed, with a focus on European recent and current research aiming at the definition of areas for important future research. Moreover the positive impact of GEC-ESTRO recommendations and the highlights of brachytherapy physics are discussed what altogether presents a full overview of modern image guided brachytherapy. An overview is finally provided on past and current international brachytherapy publications focusing on "Radiotherapy and Oncology". These data show tremendous increase in almost all research areas over the last three decades strongly influenced recently by translational research in regard to imaging and technology. In order to provide high level clinical evidence for future brachytherapy practice the strong need for comprehensive prospective clinical research addressing brachytherapy issues is high-lighted.

Changes in lower urinary tract symptoms after prostate brachytherapy

PURPOSE

To further define the bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms that occur after prostate brachytherapy (PB) by evaluating patient's responses to the individual questions of the urinary portion of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) survey and the AUA symptoms score in men undergoing PB.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A longitudinal, prospective study of 170 patients who have undergone PB at a single institution was performed. All patients were asked to complete the EPIC survey pre-operatively and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-operatively. Starting with the 75(th) patient in the cohort, patients were also asked to complete the AUA symptom score.

RESULTS

The pattern of changes for each question is similar for both the EPIC survey and the AUA symptom score, with a marked worsening of symptoms at 2 and 4 weeks and an improvement to baseline by 3 to 6 months. Hematuria questions had the quickest and dysuria questions had the longest return to baseline. The dysuria questions had the greatest change and the incontinence questions had the smallest change in magnitude. Obstructive symptoms had a greater magnitude of change when compared to irritative symptoms, but the irritative symptoms took longer to return to baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study adds to the fund of knowledge regarding the bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms which occur after PB by analyzing the individual questions of both the urinary portion of the EPIC survey and the AUA symptom score.

Extracting atomic numbers and electron densities from a dual source dual energy CT scanner: experiments and a simulation model

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Dual energy CT (DECT) imaging can provide both the electron density ρ(e) and effective atomic number Z(eff), thus facilitating tissue type identification. This paper investigates the accuracy of a dual source DECT scanner by means of measurements and simulations. Previous simulation work suggested improved Monte Carlo dose calculation accuracy when compared to single energy CT for low energy photon brachytherapy, but lacked validation. As such, we aim to validate our DECT simulation model in this work.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cylindrical phantom containing tissue mimicking inserts was scanned with a second generation dual source scanner (SOMATOM Definition FLASH) to obtain Z(eff) and ρ(e). A model of the scanner was designed in ImaSim, a CT simulation program, and was used to simulate the experiment.

RESULTS

Accuracy of measured Z(eff) (labelled Z) was found to vary from -10% to 10% from low to high Z tissue substitutes while the accuracy on ρ(e) from DECT was about 2.5%. Our simulation reproduced the experiments within ±5% for both Z and ρ(e).

CONCLUSIONS

A clinical DECT scanner was able to extract Z and ρ(e) of tissue substitutes. Our simulation tool replicates the experiments within a reasonable accuracy.

Patients' perspectives on fecal incontinence after brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

When a patient is deciding between treatment options for localized prostate cancer, brachytherapy is commonly chosen for its perceived low complication profile. Brachytherapy can frequently be complicated by the development of fecal incontinence. The potential long-term impact of this dysfunction on a patient's life should be discussed.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the long-term impact of brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer on fecal incontinence and to determine the impact and severity of the incontinence on patients' ability to engage in activities of daily living.

DESIGN

A retrospective observational study was performed. A questionnaire packet was mailed to patients who had received brachytherapy treatment for localized prostate cancer and were now more than 2 years out from initial seed implantation. Each packet contained the Colon and Ano-Rectal Impact Questionnaire (assessing quality of life), the Colon and Ano-Rectal Distress Inventory, and the Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence Score (both measured existence and severity of fecal incontinence).

SETTINGS

This study was conducted at Caritas Christi St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, a tertiary referral center in Boston, Massachusetts from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2007.

PATIENTS

One hundred forty-three of 568 patients (a 25% response rate) responded and were analyzed.

INTERVENTIONS

No interventions were performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome was impact of fecal incontinence on quality of life.

RESULTS

: Of the responses to the Colon and Ano-Rectal Impact Questionnaire, 13.2% (19 patients) (P < .001) stated that fecal incontinence was impacting their ability to participate in their daily activities. Sixty-three percent (12 patients) (P < .001) of patients described the impact of the incontinence as slight, 21% (4 patients) (P < .001) described it as moderate, and 15.8% (3 patients) (P < .001) described it as severe.

LIMITATIONS

There were no case-matched controls and the response rate to the surveys was low.

CONCLUSIONS

Postbrachytherapy fecal incontinence leaves a long-term impact on patients' ability to engage in activities of daily living.