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To evaluate prognostic factors of biochemical recurrence (BCR) in each risk group of prostate cancer patients who underwent low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT).A total of 944 patients with clinically confirmed prostate cancer (cT1c-3aN0M0) who had underwent LDR-BT were enrolled. The low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups included 278, 498, and 168 patients, respectively. The median age, PSA value at diagnosis, and the follow-up period were 70 years (range: 48-84), 7.2 ng/ml (range: 1.2-113), and 91 months (range: 2-192), respectively. We evaluated the BCR-free rate, BCR-free survival, clinical recurrence-free rate, overall survival (OS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS). We conducted multivariate analysis to elucidate prognostic factors of BCR for all patients and for each risk group.The 5- and 10-year OS rates were 96.0% and 89.5% and the 5- and 10-year CSS rates were 99.8% and 99.1%, respectively, while the 5- and 10-year BCR-free rates were 96.6% and 92.5% in low-risk patients, 95.7% and 90.7% in intermediate-risk patients and 93.8% and 89.0% in high-risk patients, respectively. There were no significant differences between the risk groups. Age-adjusted multivariate analysis indicated biologically effective dose (BED)180 Gy2 as an independent prognostic factor of BCR in all patients (p = 0.005). There were no independent factors in the low- and high-risk groups, but neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) (p = 0.022) and BED180Gy2 (p = 0.042) were independent prognostic factors in the intermediate-risk group.LDR-BT can achieve a higher recurrence-free survival with an adequate local radiation dose (BED ≥ 180 Gy2).

To evaluate late genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities and radiation-induced second primary cancers (RISPCs) in patients who received low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) with or without external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer.This retrospective study included 897 consecutive patients who received LDR-BT between July 2004 and July 2015 in our institution. Adverse events and the incidence of second primary cancers were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 54, and 60 mo after LDR-BT and then once a year. Related factors to ≥grade 2 (G2) toxicity were evaluated using the Cox proportional-hazards model.The median follow-up time was 85.2 (interquartile range: 66.8-111.3) mo. The cumulative incidence rates of ≥G2 GU toxicity at 5 and 10 yrs after LDR-BT were 11.2% and 14.7%, respectively. The International Prostate Symptom Score before LDR-BT (continuous) (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.03), no neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (HR: 1.69), and combination external beam radiotherapy (HR: 3.30) were risk factors related to the incidence of ≥G2 GU toxicity. The cumulative incidence rates of ≥G2 GI toxicity at 5 and 10 yrs after LDR-BT were 3.3% and 3.3%, respectively. Age (continuous) (HR: 1.09), body mass index (continuous) (HR: 0.87), and rectum V100 (continuous) (HR: 1.64) were risk factors related to ≥G2 GI toxicity. A total of 12 (1.3%) patients developed metachronous RISPCs (bladder cancer: 9; rectal cancer: 3).The incidence rates of late GU and GI toxicities and RISPCs after LDR-BT were low.

We compared clinical outcomes and toxicities associated with seed brachytherapy (SEED-BT) alone and SEED-BT plus external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for the treatment of intermediate-risk prostate cancer. From 2006 to 2011, 993 patients diagnosed with intermediate-risk prostate cancer were treated with either SEED-BT alone (n = 775) or SEED-BT plus EBRT (n = 158) at 3 tertiary hospitals. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed to compare clinical outcomes between the groups. In the propensity score-matched analysis (102 pairs), median follow-up was 95 months (range: 18–153 months). The 8-year biochemical recurrence-free rate (bRFR) was significantly better with SEED-BT alone than with combined radiotherapy (93.3% vs. 88.4%; HR: 0.396; 95% CI: 0.158 to 0.991). The cumulative incidence of grade 2 or greater late genitourinary toxicity at 8 years was 21.0% for SEED-BT alone and 33.2% for combined radiotherapy. Grade 2 or greater late genitourinary toxicities were significantly fewer with SEED-BT alone than with combined radiotherapy (HR: 0.521; 95% CI: 0.308 to 0.881). Similarly, grade 2 or greater late gastrointestinal toxicities were significantly fewer with SEED-BT alone (0% vs. 12.2%; HR: 0.125; 95% CI: 0.040 to 0.390). Our study implies that SEED-BT alone might be a better disease-management plan than SEED-BT plus EBRT for intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the dose evaluation parameters between conventional (using loose seed alone) and hybrid (using loose seeds in combination with stranded seeds) low-dose rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer. METHODS: Between 2014 and July 2016, a total of 219 patients who underwent low-dose rate brachytherapy were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (trial number: UMIN 000012780). Patients were randomized and allocated to two groups (conventional method vs hybrid method). Post-dosimetric parameters (%D90, minimal percentage of the dose received by 90% of the prostate gland; V100, percentage of the prostate volume receiving 100% of the prescribed minimal peripheral dose; V150, percentage of the prostate volume receiving 150% of the prescribed minimal peripheral dose; %UD30, minimal percentage of the dose received by 30% of the urethra; R100, rectal volume [mL] receiving 100% of the prescribed dose) calculated at 1 month after seed implantation by computed tomography scan were compared between the two groups, as well as the post-dosimetric parameters using the planning target volume of the prostate + 5-mm margin. RESULTS: Regarding dose evaluation parameters, the prostate dose (%D90, V100, V150) and the urethral dose (%UD30) were not significantly different between the two groups, whereas V100 (+5-mm margin) and %D90 (+5-mm margin) were significantly higher in the hybrid method group compared with the conventional method group (P

Objectives To evaluate the use of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors in patients receiving low-dose-rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer. Methods A total of 310 patients with prostate cancer (cT1c-3aN0M0) who received low-dose-rate brachytherapy between May 2010 and July 2013 were enrolled and allocated to one of the two treatment groups (tamsulosin alone 0.2 mg/day for 6 months vs tamsulosin 0.2 mg/day for 6 months plus celecoxib 200 mg/day for 3 months). The primary end-point was the chronological change in international prostate symptom score, and the number of patients was assessed for the primary end-point. Biochemical recurrence-free, cancer-specific survival and overall survival rates 5 years after the last patient received low-dose-rate brachytherapy were retrospectively examined. Results The median follow-up period after low-dose-rate brachytherapy was 72.0 months (range 3-99 months). A total of 12 (3.9%) patients experienced biochemical recurrence. The biochemical recurrence-free rate in the celecoxib group (5-year biochemical recurrence-free rate 98.5%) was significantly better (log-rank test P = 0.023, 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.63, hazard ratio 0.20) than that in the tamsulosin group (5-year biochemical recurrence-free rate 93.4%). None of the patients died from prostate cancer. However, 14 (4.5%) patients died of other causes. No significant difference was observed in terms of overall survival between the celecoxib and tamsulosin groups. Conclusions The combination of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and low-dose-rate brachytherapy can contribute to a better biochemical control of prostate cancer.

This study evaluated erectile function and sexual quality of life (QoL), and predictive factors for erectile dysfunction (ED) and the deterioration of sexual QoL in 70 patients who underwent low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) alone for prostate cancer without androgen deprivation therapy. Erectile function and sexual QoL were evaluated before and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months after LDR-BT. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether age, prostate volume, hypertension, diabetes, Brinkman's index, testosterone, baseline Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score and post-implant dosimetry parameters could predict ED and deterioration of sexual QoL at 24 and 60 months after LDR-BT. After 24 and 60 months, ED was noted in 39 of 70 patients and 42 of 64 patients respectively. Furthermore, sexual QoL worsened in 42 of 70 and 43 of 64 patients respectively. Baseline SHIM score was identified as a significant predictor of ED (24 months: odds ratio [OR]: 0.83, p = 0.02; 60 months: OR: 0.83, p = 0.03) and the deterioration of sexual QoL (24 months: OR: 0.84, p = 0.03). LDR-BT for prostate cancer promoted decreased erectile function and sexual QoL, with high preimplant potency being a significant predictor of ED and the deterioration of sexual QoL.

OBJECTIVE Higher quality of postimplant dosimetric evaluation is associated with higher biochemical recurrence-free survival rates after low-dose-rate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. Postimplant prostate D90 is a key dosimetric parameter showing the quality of low-dose-rate brachytherapy. In this study, to improve the quality of low-dose-rate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer, we investigated pre-implant factors affecting the reduction of postimplant prostate D90. METHODS A total of 441 patients underwent low-dose-rate brachytherapy monotherapy and 474 patients underwent low-dose-rate brachytherapy with external beam radiation therapy. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify predictive factors for postimplant D90 decline. The cut-off value of the D90 decline was set at 170 Gy and 130 Gy in the low-dose-rate brachytherapy monotherapy group and low-dose-rate brachytherapy with external beam radiation therapy group, respectively. RESULTS On multivariate analysis, neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy was identified as an independent predictive factor for the decline of postimplant D90 in both the low-dose-rate brachytherapy monotherapy group (P

To evaluate the additional effects of mirabegron to alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist on lower urinary tract symptoms of patients who underwent Patients who underwentThe mean changes in volume voided per micturition in the combination (n = 108) and tamsulosin-alone (n = 110) groups were -62.5 (standard deviation, ±53.8) and -68.0 (standard deviation, ±52.7), respectively (P = .17). The change in Overactive Bladder Symptom Score in combination group (P = .02) was more moderate than in tamsulosin-alone group; and 24 hour urinary frequency in combination group was lower (P = .03) than in tamsulosin-alone group. Retention rates within 3 months after Tamsulosin and mirabegron combination therapy after

Background Because patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) bounce do not experience biochemical recurrence (BCR) until PSA bounce occurs, the period until PSA bounce ends can be considered the so-called lead-time bias. Therefore, we evaluated differences in BCR-free rate in prostate cancer patients who were BCR-free 4 years after 125I-brachytherapy alone. Furthermore, we evaluated predictors for PSA bounce and the correlation between testosterone and PSA bounce. Methods From 2004 to 2012, 256 patients with prostate adenocarcinoma underwent 125I-brachytherapy alone. PSA and testosterone levels were monitored prior to 125I-brachytherapy, at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54 and 60 months after 125I-brachytherapy and yearly after 5-year follow-up. PSA bounce was defined as ≥0.2 ng/ml increase above the interval PSA nadir, followed by a decrease to nadir or below. Results BCR-free rate in patients with PSA bounce (100% 7-year BCR-free rate) was significantly better (P Conclusions Patients with PSA bounce had good BCR-free rate even in patients who were BCR-free 4 years after 125I-brachytherapy alone. Testosterone levels were higher at PSA bounce; increased testosterone levels may be a cause of PSA bounce.

Purpose The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors on quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy. Material and methods A total of 310 patients with prostate cancer who had undergone LDR brachytherapy were enrolled. The patients were randomized (1 : 1) to the monotherapy group (tamsulosin alone: 0.2 mg/day, n = 156) and the combination group (tamsulosin: 0.2 mg/day plus celecoxib: 200 mg/day, n = 154) without placebo. Using the expanded prostate cancer index composite (EPIC) and medical outcomes study 8-item short form health survey (SF-8) questionnaire, QoL was evaluated at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after seed implantation. Results The mean changes in scores from baseline to 1 and 3 months after seed implantation for the urinary (1M: -10.5, 3M: -10.9) and bowel (1M: -2.4, 3M: -4.2) domains of EPIC in the combination group were not significantly different from those (urinary 1M: -11.0, 3M: -11.4, bowel 1M: -2.3, 3M: -4.6) in the monotherapy group. The mean changes in scores from baseline to 1 and 3 months after seed implantation for the physical component summary (1M: 0.009, 3M: -0.32) and mental component summary (1M: 0.41, 3M: 0.36) of SF-8 in the combination group were not significantly different from those (physical component 1M: -0.89, 3M: -0.22, mental component 1M: 1.3, 3M: 1.1) in the monotherapy group. Conclusions Combination treatment with celecoxib and tamsulosin during the peri-operative period is not warranted for improving QoL in patients undergoing LDR brachytherapy.

The history of prostate brachytherapy has passed one century. In 1983, modern low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy using a transrectal ultrasound-guided procedure was introduced. In the early 1990s, low-dose-rate brachytherapy was introduced and rapidly spread across the USA due to its excellent oncological control, cost-effectiveness and technically easy procedure. Since low-dose-rate brachytherapy was introduced in Japan (2003), over 15 years have passed. More than 43 000 patients have undergone low-dose-rate brachytherapy. Japanese urologists and radiation oncologists are on course with leading brachytherapists in the USA. A nationwide prospective cohort study, J-POPS, was initiated in 2005. The J-POPS group also provides educational programs including an annual novel training course in low-dose-rate brachytherapy to familiarize urologists, radiation oncologists and pathologists with the procedure. Important information on Japanese patients has accumulated, especially by the J-POPS study group. The Japanese investigators reported excellent oncological outcomes of low-dose-rate brachytherapy, showing equivalent or superior efficacy to surgery in low- to intermediate-risk patients, and superior efficacy in high-risk patients using the surgery biochemical recurrence definition (prostate-specific antigen cut-off value of 0.2 ng/mL). Two randomized controlled studies (SHIP study: intermediate risk, and TRIP study: high risk) carried out by the J-POPS group are ongoing, and an additional follow-up study (J-POPS 2 study) has been started to evaluate survival outcomes over longer follow-up periods. Low-dose-rate brachytherapy is expected to provide a survival benefit, which must be confirmed by further studies with longer follow-up periods in the future.

Background We describe two patients who underwent low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy after embolization for pelvic arteriovenous malformation. Case presentation Case 1: A 76-year-old man was referred for definitive treatment of intermediate-risk prostate cancer (prostate-specific antigen 8.667 ng/mL, cT2aN0M0, Gleason score 3 + 4 = 7). We planned low-dose-rate brachytherapy. However, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography demonstrated a large pelvic arteriovenous malformation. We performed embolization of the arteriovenous malformation before initiating treatment to lower the risk of rupture of the arteriovenous malformation during low-dose-rate brachytherapy. Case 2: A 69-year-old man was referred for the definitive treatment of high-risk prostate cancer (prostate-specific antigen 5.81 ng/mL, cT2aN0M0, Gleason score 4 + 4 = 8) with a pelvic arteriovenous malformation. Similar to Case 1, we performed embolization of the arteriovenous malformation before initiating treatment. In both cases, low-dose-rate brachytherapy could be performed without complications. Conclusions Low-dose-rate brachytherapy after transcatheter embolization of pelvic arteriovenous malformations can safely and effectively treat localized prostate cancer with pelvic arteriovenous malformations.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate quality of life (QOL) in prostate cancer patients treated with 125I brachytherapy (BT), 125I brachytherapy combined with 3D conformal radiation therapy (BT+3D-CRT), or intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). We evaluated disease-related QOL in patients who underwent BT, BT+3D-CRT, or IMRT, using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire before treatment and at 3 and 24 months post-treatment. Multivariate analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with a minimum important difference (MID) in urinary, bowel, sexual, and hormone domain scores at 3 and 24 months post-treatment. Of 558 enrolled patients (IMRT, 123; BT, 230; and BT+3D-CRT, 205), urinary domain scores showed a MID after BT, BT+3D-CRT and IMRT at 3 months in 69%, 84% and 25% of patients, respectively, and at 24 months in 43%, 54% and 28% of patients, respectively. On multivariate analysis, BT+3D-CRT [3 months: odds ratio (OR) = 12.7; P < 0.001; 24 months: OR = 3.29; P = 0.001] and BT (3 months: OR = 6.28; P < 0.001 and 24 months: OR = 2.22; P = 0.027) were associated with more severely worsened urinary QOL than IMRT. Bowel domain scores showed a MID at 3 months after BT, BT+3D-CRT, and IMRT in 37%, 68% and 41% of patients, respectively, and at 24 months in 29%, 46% and 43% of patients, respectively. On multivariate analysis, BT+3D-CRT (3 months: OR = 4.20; P < 0.001 and 24 months: OR = 2.63; P < 0.001) and IMRT (24 months: OR = 1.98; P = 0.029) were associated with more severely worsened bowel QOL than was BT. Information about the changes in QOL outcomes associated with radiotherapy modalities could guide treatment decisions.

OBJECTIVES To compare the effects of naftopidil and silodosin administration on the quality of life of patients with prostate cancer who underwent low-dose-rate brachytherapy. METHODS In total, 141 men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who were treated with low-dose-rate brachytherapy were enrolled. Patients were randomized (1:1) to the naftopidil (75 mg/day, n = 63) or silodosin group (8 mg/day, n = 64). Naftopidil and silodosin were administered 1 day after low-dose-rate brachytherapy, and were continued for at least 3 months. Using the University of California at Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index and Sexual Health Inventory for Men scores, the mean changes and rates of deterioration from baseline were compared. The deterioration rates in the quality of life of patients at 1 and 3 months after low-dose-rate brachytherapy were evaluated based on the minimal important difference. RESULTS The rates of deterioration from baseline to 1 and 3 months after low-dose-rate brachytherapy were not significantly different between the two groups in terms of urinary function, urinary bother, bowel bother, sexual function or Sexual Health Inventory for Men scores. In contrast, there were significant differences in bowel function (naftopidil 1 month, 52%; 3 months, 52%; silodosin 1 month, 28%; 3 months, 34%; 1 month, P

Yasushi Nakai,1 Nobumichi Tanaka,1 Satoshi Anai,1 Makito Miyake,1 Isao Asakawa,2 Yosuke Morizawa,1 Shunta Hori,1 Kazumasa Torimoto,1 Tomomi Fujii,3 Masatoshi Hasegawa,2 Kiyohide Fujimoto1 1Department of Urology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan; 2Department of Radiation Oncology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan; 3Department of Pathology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the chronological changes in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs), disease-related quality of life (QOL), and health-related QOL (HR-QOL) of patients who received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).Patients and methods: In 121 patients who had received IMRT and were followed up for >2 years, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC), and 8-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-8) were used before IMRT, at the halfway point in IMRT, immediately after IMRT, and 1–24 months after the completion of IMRT.Results: The IPSS and OABSS and the urinary and bowel domains of the EPIC indicated that QOL worsened at the halfway point in IMRT, further worsened more severely immediately after IMRT, and then improved. The sexual domain of the EPIC significantly decreased at the halfway point in IMRT, which significantly lowered until 24 months. The scores of physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, and role emotional domains in the SF-8 significantly decreased and reached their lowest points immediately after IMRT.Conclusion: QOL worsened the most severely in patients immediately after IMRT for prostate cancer. This knowledge can influence treatment recommendations and enable patients to make better informed decisions. Keywords: chronological changes, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, prostate cancer, quality of life, radiotherapy

Purpose To evaluate the add-on efficacy of a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor on the chronological changes in urinary function in patients who underwent low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy. Methods and Materials A total of 310 patients with prostate cancer who underwent low-dose-rate-brachytherapy were enrolled. Patients were randomized and allocated to the monotherapy group (tamsulosin alone: 0.2 mg/d) and the combination group (tamsulosin 0.2 mg/d plus celecoxib: 200 mg/d). We compared the chronological change in the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), uroflowmetric parameters, and the frequency volume chart. Results There was not a significant difference between the two groups in the chronological changes in IPSS and OABSS for 12 months after implantation. Regarding the frequency volume chart assessment, the mean daytime urinary frequency in the combination group at 3 and 6 months after implantation was significantly lower than that in the monotherapy group. Regarding IPSS recovery at 3 months after implantation, higher baseline IPSS and nonuse of external beam radiation therapy were independent factors, while smaller prostate volume and higher baseline IPSS were independent factors of IPSS recovery at 12 months after implantation based on multivariate analyses. Conclusions There was not an additional effect of a COX-2 inhibitor to the action of an alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist on concerning the chronological changes in IPSS and OABSS. The use of a COX-2 inhibitor reduced the daytime urinary frequency and postvoid residual after seed implantation.

Purpose: We evaluated our experience with low-dose-rate salvage brachytherapy for local recurrence after primary prostate radiotherapy, and described the changes in lower urinary tract symptoms and health-related quality of life. Material and methods: Between 2011 and 2016, eight men with local recurrence after primary prostate radiotherapy underwent iodine-125 salvage brachytherapy with a prescribed dose of 110 or 145 Gy. Recurrence-free survival was evaluated with a post-treatment prostate-specific antigen profile. The toxicity and changes in lower urinary tract symptoms and health-related quality of life during the follow-up were evaluated on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0, International Prostate Symptom Score, Short Form-8, and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite, respectively. Results: The median follow-up was 12.2 months (range, 8.3-71.9) after salvage brachytherapy. Of all eight patients, two (25%) experienced treatment failure, one of whom developed left seminal vesicle recurrence 36 months after salvage brachytherapy for the right seminal vesicle recurrence, while the other developed bone metastases after 6 months. The International Prostate Symptom Scores peaked at 3 months, and returned to baseline by 6 months. The scores of all domains of health-related quality of life remained unchanged during the 12-month follow-up after salvage brachytherapy. Early grade ≤ 2 genitourinary toxicity was observed in five patients (63%), and late grade 2 gastrointestinal toxicity in one patient (13%) having persistent diarrhea. No patient required intermittent catheterization and no grade 3 or greater toxicity occurred during follow-up. Conclusions: The present study is our experiment of eight patients undergoing salvage brachytherapy, suggesting that this modality is noninvasive, safe, and an effective salvage local treatment in selected patients. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms and health-related quality of life in the post-treatment period in prostate cancer patients.

Highlights • Patients who received BT experienced acute urinary morbidity 3 months after BT of the prostate. • Acute urinary symptoms gradually improved with time and returned to BL at 36 months. • Storage symptoms take longer to return to BL compared with voiding symptoms., Purpose To investigate chronological changes in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients who received iodine-125 brachytherapy (BT) for prostate cancer. Methods We enrolled 706 patients who received BT. Of these, 265 (38%) received BT combined with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). An International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), IPSS quality of life (IPSS-QOL) score, and overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) were recorded before BT (baseline, BL), and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months after BT. The sum of frequency (2), urgency (4) and nocturia (7) of the IPSS questionnaire was defined as the storage symptoms score, whereas the sum of emptying (1), intermittency (3), weak stream (5), and hesitancy (6) was defined as the voiding symptom score. Results Total IPSS significantly increased at 3 months following BT compared with BL (mean score: 17.1 vs. 7.99, P

Purpose: The clinical management and follow-up of patients with recurrent prostate cancer after salvage radiotherapy (SRT) has not yet been established, and no standardized definition of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after SRT exists. We compared the impact of applying three different definitions of BCR following SRT on patient outcomes and prognostication. Subjects: Patients who received salvage androgen-deprivation therapy before the completion of SRT were excluded. The data of 118 men who had undergone salvage radiation as monotherapy for BCR after radical prostatectomy were reviewed. In all patients, SRT comprised irradiation to the prostatic bed (70 Gy) using three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy techniques. Treatment outcomes, including BCR-free survival and prognostic factors, were analyzed and compared among three definitions: The Nara, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 9601, and GETUG-AFU 16 definitions. Results: The BCR rate differed significantly among the applied definitions. Multivariate analyses identified the same four independent prognostic factors, including primary Gleason pattern 4 or 5, negative resection margin, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level before SRT 0.5 or more, and PSA doubling time before SRT

Background To compare the PSA value at the last follow-up of patients who underwent prostate low-dose rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) with that of patients who underwent intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Methods A total of 610 prostate cancer patients (cT1c-3bN0M0) were enrolled, and 445 of them underwent LDR-BT, while 165 received IMRT (74–76 Gy). The median follow-up period of these two groups was 75 months (LDR-BT) and 78 months (IMRT), respectively. We also evaluated the biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free rate using two definitions (Phoenix definition and PSA ≥ 0.2 ng/mL). Results The percentage of patients who achieved PSA

We analyzed the data for 53 patients with histologically proven primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with radiotherapy between February 2006 and August 2009. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced (CE)-CT and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET before radiation therapy planning (RTP) to define the gross tumor volume (GTV). The PET-based GTV (PET-GTV) for RTP was defined using both CE-CT images and FDG-PET images. The CE-CT tumor volume corresponding to a FDG-PET image was regarded as the PET-GTV. The CE-CT-based GTV (CT-GTV) for RTP was defined using CE-CT images alone. Additionally, CT-GTV delineation and PET-GTV delineation were performed by four radiation oncologists independently in 19 cases. All four oncologists did both methods. Of these, PET-GTV delineation was successfully performed in all 19 cases, but CT-GTV delineation was not performed in 4 cases. In the other 15 cases, the mean CT-GTV was larger than the PET-GTV in 10 cases, and the standard deviation of the CT-GTV was larger than that of the PET-GTV in 10 cases. Sensitivity of PET-GTV for identifying the primary tumor was 96%, but that of CT-GTV was 81% (P < 0.01). In patients with oropharyngeal cancer and tongue cancer, the sensitivity of CT-GTV was 63% and 71%, respectively. When both the primary lesions and the lymph nodes were evaluated for RTP, PET-GTV differed from CT-GTV in 19 cases (36%). These results suggested that FDG-PET is effective for defining GTV in RTP for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and PET-GTV evaluated by both CE-CT and FDG-PET images is preferable to CT-GTV by CE-CT alone.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined use of the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) as an assessment tool for urinary symptom flare after iodine-125 (125I) implant brachytherapy. The association between urinary symptom flare and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) bounce was investigated. Methods Changes in the IPSS and OABSS were prospectively recorded in 355 patients who underwent seed implantation. The percentage distribution of patients according to the difference between the flare peak and post-implant nadir was plotted to define significant increases in the scores. The clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment parameters, and post-implant dosimetric parameters were compared between the non-flare and flare groups. PSA bounce was defined as an elevation of ≥0.1 ng/mL or ≥0.4 ng/mL compared to the previous lowest value, followed by a decrease to a level at or below the pre-bounce value. Results A clinically significant increase required an IPSS increase of at least 12 points and an OABSS increase of at least 6 points based on a time-course analysis of total scores and the QOL index. Assessment only by IPSS failed to detect 40 patients (11%) who had urinary symptom flare according to the OABSS. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that patients treated with higher biologically effective doses and those without diabetes mellitus had higher risks of urinary flare. There was no statistical correlation between the incidence and time of urinary symptom flare onset and that of a PSA bounce. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report to prove the clinical potential of the OABSS as an assessment tool for urinary symptom flare after seed implantation. Our findings showed that persistent lower urinary tract symptoms after seed implantation were attributed to storage rather than to voiding issues. We believe that assessment with the OABSS combined with the IPSS would aid in decision-making in terms of timing, selection of a treatment intervention, and assessment of the outcome. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12894-017-0251-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

We evaluated sequential dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (DCE-CT) scans to assess the possibility of early prediction of treatment responses by quantifying the tumor size reduction and the change in tumor enhancement during and after a course of radiotherapy (RT). Thirty-nine patients with non-small-cell lung cancer were treated with RT for initial treatment. DCE-CT scan was performed within one week before the beginning of treatment, after 17 or 18 fractions (34 or 36 Gy), and 1 week and 1 month after the end of RT. The correlation between the relative decrease in tumor diameter and that in the attenuation value was evaluated. Nineteen patients were evaluated in this study. The median tumor size was 39.5 mm at the start of treatment, 30.8 mm at 34-36 Gy, and 16.1 mm 1 month after the end of RT. The relative decrease in tumor diameter at 34-36 Gy well correlated with that 1 month after treatment (r = 0.85, r: Pearson's correlation coefficient, p < 0.001). Relative change in the attenuation value at the rim of the tumor at 34-36 Gy did not significantly correlate with the change in tumor diameter 1 month after the completion of RT, but in the center of the tumor, the change of the attenuation value in the delayed phase correlated with the change in tumor diameter. The decrease of tumor diameter during RT may be predictive of treatment response. The relative change of tumor enhancement in the center of the tumor in the delayed phase correlated with tumor shrinkage 1 month after the completion of RT.

Surgery and radiation therapy have been used to treat esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, treatment outcomes have not yet been extensively investigated. The aim of this study was to compare surgery and radiation therapy for clinical T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. A total of 67 clinical T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients were treated between January 1997 and December 2005; 29 had undergone radical esophagectomy (surgery group) and 38 were treated with definitive radiation therapy (radiation group). The mean patient age was lower in the surgery group than in the radiation group. In surgery group, respiratory complications, anastomotic leaks, recurrent nerve palsies, and anastomotic stenosis occurred in 7, 8, 6, and 5 patients, respectively. In radiation group, leucopenia, esophagitis, pericarditis were observed in 15, 3, and 3 patients, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate for the surgery group was 68.9%, and 74.3% for the radiation group. There were no significant difference between groups (P= 0.3780). The 5-year relapse-free survival rate in the surgery group was 61.8% and 38.8% in the radiation group. The relapse-free survival rate was significantly higher in the surgery group than in the radiation group (P= 0.0051). The 5-year overall and relapse-free survival rates for tumors invaded into but not through the muscularis mucosa were 83.3% and 75.0%, respectively, in the surgery group and 78.8% and 33.3%, respectively, in the radiation group. There were no significant differences. The 5-year overall survival rates for patients with tumors that invaded the submucosal layer was 64.9% in the surgery group and 66.5% in the radiation group. This difference was not significant (P= 0.8712). The 5-year relapse-free survival rate in the surgery group (56.0%) was significantly higher than that in the radiation group (41.8%; P= 0.0219). In conclusion, surgery may become a standard treatment for cT1 esophageal cancer that can offer longer relapse-free survival, particularly for patients with tumors that invade the submucosa.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess the variations in health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients who underwent low–dose rate prostate brachytherapy using iodine-125 seed source during the first year after seed implantation. Methods and Materials Between July 2004 and December 2006, 109 patients underwent low–dose rate brachytherapy. The Medical Outcomes study 36-Item Short Form; the University of California, Los Angeles-Prostate Cancer Index; and the International Index of Erectile Function-5 were evaluated before and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after seed implantation. Results In Medical Outcomes study 36-Item Short Form analyses and the HR-QoL scores were well preserved during the first year after seed implantation. In the University of California, Los Angeles-Prostate Cancer Index analyses, the urinary function and bother scores showed significant decrease during 6 months after seed implantation. The bowel function and bother scores showed significant decrease at 3 months after seed implantation. The sexual function score showed significant decrease at 3, 6, and 12 months after seed implantation, whereas the sexual bother score showed no change during the first year. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 score dramatically decreased at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after seed implantation. Conclusions The general HR-QoL in the patients who underwent seed implantation was well preserved during the first year after seed implantation, whereas the urinary, bowel, and sexual function and bother scores showed transient deterioration during the first year after seed implantation. Especially, sexual function showed significant deterioration in Japanese men after seed implantation.

PET/CT/ 18 F-FDG/Radiotherapy planning/Target delineation/Standardized uptake value. We assessed the usefulness of PET/CT images to determine the target volume in radiotherapy planning by evaluating the standardized uptake value (SUV ). We evaluated the imaging conditions and imagereconstruction conditions of PET/CT useful for treatment planning by collecting 18 F-FDG images of acrylic spheres (10–48 mm in diameter) in a phantom. The 18 F-FDG concentration in the spheres was 10fold higher than that of the phantom. The contours were delineated according to the SUV by the threshold and regions of interest (ROI) methods. Comparisons of two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) acquisition images indicated that the sharpness and quantitative qualities of the sphere boundaries were better in the f ormer than in the latter. In the extraction of outlines using the SUV, outlines obtained at an SUV of 40–50% of the maximum agreed well with the actual acrylic sphere size. 2D acquisition images are more suitable for delineating target volume contours, although 3D acquisition images are more popular in diagnostic imaging. An SUV of 40–50% of the maximum is suggested to be appropriate for GTV contouring of sphere tumors with homogenously distributed 18 F-FDG.

Objectives To evaluate the chronologic changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetric parameters, and prostate volume (PV) in patients who received low-dose-rate brachytherapy. Methods Between July 2004 and December 2006, 110 patients received low-dose-rate brachytherapy. Of the 110 patients, 82 were treated with seed implantation alone and 28 with combined external beam radiotherapy. The IPSS, uroflowmetric parameters, and PV were evaluated before seed implantation and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after seed implantation. Results The mean IPSS showed a significant increase at 1 and 6 months after seed implantation and had returned to baseline 12 months later. The maximal flow rate, voided volume, and postvoid residual urine volume showed transient deterioration at 1 and 6 months after seed implantation and had returned to the baseline 12 months later. The mean PV compared with the baseline PV showed a significant 3.8-cm 3 decrease (11.2%) at 12 months after implantation. The patients who did not receive neoadjuvant hormonal therapy had a 5.9-cm 3 decrease in PV (20.2%) 12 months later. In contrast, those who received neoadjuvant hormonal therapy had no change in PV after seed implantation. Conclusions This is the first report to evaluate the chronologic changes in subjective parameters (IPSS) and objective parameters (uroflowmetry) and PV, concurrently. The changes in subjective parameters correlated with the changes in objective parameters during the first 12 months after seed implantation. The change in the PV was different after seed implantation in patients with or without neoadjuvant hormonal therapy.