There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Abstract
The acute and chronic complications of permanent prostate brachytherapy are discussed.
Review of literature for the complications associated with iodine-125 (125I) and palladium-103
(103Pd) prostate brachytherapy. Acute complications included urinary retention, changes
in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and need for TURP. Chronic morbidity
included permanent urinary symptoms, incontinence, radiation proctitis and erectile
dysfunction.
Urinary retention occurred in 1.5-22% of the patients postimplant. Acute urinary symptoms
increased by over 100% 1 month after the procedure. By 12 months, the symptoms were
either back to baseline or slightly elevated in over 90% of the patients. Significant
obstructive symptoms or persistent urinary retention necessitating TURP occurred in
0-8.7%. Urinary incontinence was found in 0-19% treated by implant without associated
TURP, in 0-85% for those who had a TURP prior to the implant and in 0-17% for those
who had the TURP subsequent to the implant. Potency rates ranged from 34% to 86% 1-6
years postimplant. Radiation proctitis was found in 0.5-21.4%, with significant injury
(fistula) occurring in 1-2.4%.
The data from this report suggests that permanent prostate brachytherapy can be accomplished
with minimal short- and long-term morbidity. Attention to detail as well as an appreciation
to the causative factors for the morbidity will help reduce treatment-related side
effects.