Prostate brachytherapy can be performed in selected patients after transurethral resection of the prostate

Purpose: To evaluate urinary function and bother after prostate brachytherapy (PB) in patients who have had prior transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Methods and Materials: A total of 171 patients with stage T1a-T2b prostate cancer, Gleason score less than or equal to7 who underwent prior TURP received PB at a single institution. In January 2002, all 171 patients were mailed the University of California-Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index and International Prostate Symptom Score sheet. One hundred patients (60%) returned completed surveys. Time of TURP before implant ranged from 2 to 300 months (median, 6.5 years). Mean patient age was 74 +/- 5.2 years, follow-up time after implant ranged from 6.1 to 50.9 months (median, 25 months). Results: The mean urinary function score and bother score for the entire study group was 83.5 +/- 19.5 and 82.5 +/- 23.7, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed higher pretreatment International Prostate Symptom Scores to have significant negative impact (p = 0.001) on urinary function and bother scores. Conclusion: With accurate ultrasound identification of the urethral defect and precise dosimetry, brachytherapy can be performed in selected patients who have had prior TURP with resultant low impact on urinary function and bother scores. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc.