The clinical and cost effectiveness of the use of brachytherapy to treat localised prostate cancer

Kelly J, McIntosh H
Record ID 32013000460
English
Authors' recommendations: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2008) guidelines state that brachytherapy low dose rate (LDR) alone is not recommended for men with high-risk localised cancer. However, it is presented as a treatment option for men with low-risk and intermediate-risk localised disease. Evidence from low-level observational studies suggests that at least for low-risk patients, biochemical recurrence-free survival after LDR brachytherapy is equivalent to that after external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) or prostatectomy. Evidence from low-level observational studies suggests that high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy in combination with EBRT may improve outcomes in patients with localised prostate cancer. Two randomised trials support this conclusion, although it should be noted that in both of these the dose of EBRT used in the control arm was relatively low. No firm conclusions can be drawn on cost effectiveness.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2011
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Scotland, United Kingdom
MeSH Terms
  • Brachytherapy
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
Contact
Organisation Name: Scottish Health Technologies Group
Contact Address: Scottish Health Technologies Group, Delta House, 50 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2NP Tel: 0141 225 6998
Contact Name: his.shtg@nhs.scot
Contact Email: his.shtg@nhs.scot
Copyright: Healthcare Improvement Scotland
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