Five-year effectiveness of low-dose-rate brachytherapy: comparisons with nomogram predictions in patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer presenting significant control of intra- and periprostatic disease.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy in patients with localized prostate cancer and to compare the outcome with predictions from Kattan and Partin nomograms at 60 months after seed implantation.

Material And Methods: One thousand, one hundred and eighty-seven patients with localized prostate cancer at low-, intermediate-, or high-risk of progression received LDR brachytherapy using iodine-125 seeds with curative intent, applied as monotherapy or in combination with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and/or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). At 60 months after seed implantation, data of 1,064 patients (1,058 alive + 6 who died of prostate cancer) were analyzed for biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels using the Phoenix definition.

[Prostate cancer detection rates: comparison of standard biopsy with prompt rebiopsy and a one-time extended biopsy].

Introduction: Prostate biopsy is the gold standard for the detection of prostate cancer (PCA). While national and international guidelines recommend the extraction of 10-12 cores at initial biopsy, some authors plead to initially perform more extensive biopsy protocols. We assessed the PCA detection and complication rates of different biopsy schemes.