Brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer

Tamblyn D, Ellery B, Merlin T
Record ID 32011001007
English
Original Title: Application 1089.1
Authors' results and conclusions: Safety- Urinary symptoms are common following low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDRBT), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and radical prostatectomy (RP) for localised prostate cancer. Men receiving LDRBT or EBRT are more likely to report irritative or obstructive urinary symptoms than men treated with RP. Irritative and obstructive symptoms abate with time and no difference between the treatments is reported at 5 years. Urinary incontinence is more common immediately following RP compared with LDRBT (68% compared with 17%). Urinary retention is more common following treatment with LDRBT than with RP and more common following LDRBT than EBRT, although each of these findings is based on single comparative studies. Rectal bleeding is more common, and faecal incontinence may be more common following LDRBT than RP; however these assertions are based on only two studies. Bowel side effects may be fewer following LDRBT than EBRT. Erectile dysfunction is more common following RP than LDRBT and is unlikely to be different between LDRBT and EBRT. Insufficient evidence of active surveillance (AS) was available to draw definitive conclusions regarding its comparative safety. Effectiveness-Men who receive LDRBT or RP have better overall survival than men who receive EBRT; however this is unlikely to be due to differences in treatment effectiveness and more likely to be due to confounders resulting from patient selection. Disease-specific survival across all treatments is likely to be the same.
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: http://www.msac.gov.au/internet/msac/publishing.nsf/Content/1089.1-public
Year Published: 2011
URL for published report: http://www.msac.gov.au/internet/msac/publishing.nsf/Content/43A5C4CDF2D38642CA25801000123B2E/$File/1089.1_FinalReport_15022011.pdf
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Australia
MeSH Terms
  • Prostatic Neoplasms
  • Brachytherapy
Keywords
  • brachytherapy
  • prostate cancer
Contact
Organisation Name: Adelaide Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address: School of Public Health, Mail Drop 545, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, AUSTRALIA, Tel: +61 8 8313 4617
Contact Name: ahta@adelaide.edu.au
Contact Email: ahta@adelaide.edu.au
Copyright: <p>Adelaide Health Technology Assessment (AHTA) on behalf of NICS</p>
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