A Prospective Pilot Study of Single 19 Gy Fraction High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for Favorable-Risk Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate

Objective: To evaluate the acute genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) factors, biochemical control rates, and technical feasibility of high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy as monotherapy for prostate cancer delivered in a single fraction. Methods: A single-institution, prospective pilot study evaluating 6 patients with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer treated in 2013. Patients received a single 19 Gy fraction as HDR monotherapy. Patients were assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite–Bowel Assessment (EPIC-Bowel), a Quality of Life (QOL) Assessment, and an institutionally designed quality of care (QOC) questionnaire. Biochemical failure was defined as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir plus 2 ng/ml. Results: Patients tolerated the implant well and were all discharged home the same day by approximately 4 pm. Median follow-up was 9 months. No grade 3, 4 or 5 toxicities were observed. Two of the 6 patients (33%) experienced grade 2 GU toxicity. One patient (17%) experienced grade 2 GI toxicity. HRQOL bowel and urinary assessments revealed a majority of complaints at 3 months, which returned to baseline at 6 months. Conclusion: HDR brachytherapy as monotherapy for favorable-risk prostate cancer using one implant delivered in a single 19 Gy dose has acceptable acute toxicities and HRQOL reports similar to alternative treatment options.