Radiation treatment and improved survival in prostate cancer patients

The authors aimed to determine the 10-year outcome in patients treated with brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. 

Localized prostate cancer is cancer that is confined within the prostate gland. It can often be treated with brachytherapy,  a form of radiation that places radioactive seeds directly at the tumor site to kill cancer cells while minimizing the damage caused to healthy cells.

The aim of this study was to determine the 10-year outcome in patients treated with brachytherapy for prostate caner.

743 patients were used in this study with a follow-up time of 54.6 months. The 5-year overall survival rates (percentage of patients who did not die from prostate cancer following treatment) were 98.8% and the 7-year rates were 97.6%. The 5-year biochemical failure free rate (percentage of patients who avoided high levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in their blood which would indicate cancer recurrence) was 92.6% and the 7-year rate was 91%. The 5-year metastasis-free survival rate (percentage of patients who did not experience cancer spreading to other parts of the body after treatment) was 98.2% and the 7-year rate was 95.9%.

The average time from treatment until biochemical failure (time from treatment until PSA levels increased in the blood indicating cancer recurrence) was 39.3 months. Initial PSA level, age and tumor stage and size were factors that predicted biochemical failure. 105 patients experienced increased PSA levels after treatment where the average time from treatment to PSA increase was 16.5 months.

The authors concluded that patients who received brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer had good survival outcomes.

The study began in 2004. Treatment methods may be different in the current time than they were 11 years ago when the study began which could affect long term outcomes. 

If you are considering brachytherapy as a treatment option please consult your doctor for potential risks and benefits.