Prostate Brachytherapy Boost: Where Are We and Where Are We Going

For unfavorable intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer, there are at least 10 radiation therapy dose and fractionation schedules with acceptable efficacy and toxicity, according to the most recent National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) clinical practice guidelines (v1.2021). This includes 4 different low-dose-rate (LDR) or high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy boost options in combination with either conventionally fractionated or hypofractionated external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). How do we interpret this dizzying array of complexity? Costs aside, differing fractionation schemes are of less concern if they are similar in biologically effective dose and comparable in efficacy and toxicity based on phase 3 randomized evidence.
Source: International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research