Long-term quality of life in men who receive brachytherapy for prostate cancer

The authors aimed to determine long-term quality of life (QoL) in men with prostate cancer who received cesium-131 brachytherapy.

The authors concluded that there are minimal long-term changes in urinary or bowel patient-reported QoL following Cs brachytherapy.

Radiation therapy is a form of treatment used in prostate cancer. It works by sending targeted rays of radiation at the tumor site to kill the cancer cells. The are numerous types of radiation, such as brachytherapy. This is when a sealed source of radiation is placed inside or next to the tumor. This source then focuses high doses of radiation at the tumor to kill it. Cesium-131 (Cs) brachytherapy is a new brachytherapy that has the shortest half-life (time taken by the body to break down a drug by one-half) of treatments currently available.

Further research is needed to determine the long-term impact on QoL (ability to function on a mental, physical and social level) in men who received brachytherapy.

The aim of this study was to determine long-term QoL in men who received brachytherapy.

257 men who underwent brachytherapy and completed QoL questionnaires were included in this study. The average follow-up time was 5.5 years. 

There were no significant changes in QoL scores. Some men reported a worsening in urinary function and incontinence following treatment. 

The authors concluded that there are minimal long-term changes in urinary or bowel patient-reported QoL following Cs brachytherapy.