Toxicity and health-related quality of life during and after high dose rate brachytherapy followed by external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The optimal protocol for combining high dose rate brachytherapy and external beam irradiation as treatment for localized prostate cancer is unknown. Toxicity rates and clinical and biochemical outcomes should be evaluated to validate the current treatment protocol.

METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were treated for prostate cancer with high dose rate brachytherapy followed by 30 Gy of external beam radiation therapy. Toxicity during treatment and for 12-18 months thereafter, and treatment-related morbidity, were evaluated. Physician-assessed treatment-related toxicity was graded at the time of occurrence using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group morbidity criteria. Four separate self-administered questionnaires were used to collect longitudinally demographic data and general and prostate disease-related measures of quality of life.

RESULTS: Various degrees of rectal bleeding due to radiation proctitis were experienced by 13 patients (22%) at a median time of 11 months. Two of these patients needed hospitalization to undergo laser coagulation of the rectal mucosa. Study patients had statistically significant decreases in five SF-36 domains during the first month of treatment. All measures recovered by 12 months. Sexual function was not affected by irradiation. Lower urinary tract symptoms assessed by IPSS/QOL scores worsened significantly during the first month of treatment but later recovered to baseline levels. Physician-assessed RTOG scores failed to detect these changes.

CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity associated with combined radiation therapy was greatest during the first month of treatment and affected quality of life significantly. Most measures recovered to baseline levels by 12 months following radiation therapy. Although the current protocol appears acceptable, measures should be taken to decrease treatment-related morbidity further.