Comparison of two treatment approaches for prostate cancer: intensity‐modulated radiation therapy combined with [Formula: see text] seed‐implant brachytherapy or [Formula: see text] seed‐implant brachytherapy alone

The purpose of the present study was to assess the results of two different treatment approaches for clinically localized prostate cancer: intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) followed by [Formula: see text] seed‐implant brachytherapy and [Formula: see text] seed‐implant brachytherapy alone. We studied our 30 most recent consecutive patients. The sample population consisted of 15 cases treated with IMRT (50.4 Gy) followed by [Formula: see text] seed‐implant boost (95 Gy), and 15 cases treated with [Formula: see text] seed implant only (144 Gy). We analyzed established dosimetric indices and various clinical parameters. In addition, we also evaluated and compared the acute urinary morbidities of the two treatment approaches, as assessed by the international prostate symptom score (IPSS). In our series, acute urinary morbidity was slightly increased with IMRT followed by [Formula: see text] seed‐implant brachytherapy as compared with [Formula: see text] seed‐implant brachytherapy alone. In addition, we observed no statistically significant correlation between the IPSS and the maximum or mean urethral dose. The combination of IMRT and seed‐implant brachytherapy presents an alternative opportunity to treat clinically localized prostate cancer. The full potential of the procedure needs to be further investigated. PACS number: 87.53.Tf