Comparison of low and intermediate source strengths for 125I prostate brachytherapy implants

Abstract Purpose To compare the implant quality and clinical outcomes for patients treated with low and intermediate strength 125 I seeds in prostate brachytherapy implants. Methods and Materials This retrospective review included 390 consecutive patients treated with prostate brachytherapy from 1999 to 2006. The first 142 patients were implanted with source strengths lower than 0.415 U (0.327 mCi), with the subsequent 248 patients implanted with source strengths higher than 0.493 U (0.388 mCi). Clinical, dosimetric, toxicity, and outcome data were compared between these two cohorts of patients. Results Despite having similar prostate volumes, fewer sources (median, 95 vs. 113; p p D 90 , 160.0 Gy vs. 139.6 Gy; p Conclusions The transition from low to intermediate strength sources has led to fewer resources being used and improved postoperative dosimetry. Although there were more rectal complications identified in the intermediate strength cohort of patients in this analysis, there were no other significantly worse clinical or biochemical outcomes for patients implanted with intermediate strength sources.