Short-term morbidity from CT-planned transperineal I-125 prostate implants.

PURPOSE: To summarize short-term morbidity and tumor response following transperineal CT-guided I-125 prostate implantation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-one patients were treated with CT-based transperineal I-125 prostate implantation between June, 1988 and May, 1990. An average of 75 I-125 seeds were placed, with an average activity of .62 mCi/seed. Symptoms were quantified after interviewing each patient in detail.

RESULTS

Nearly all patients developed substantial dysuria, nocturia and frequency from 2-24 weeks following implantation. Urinary symptoms usually resolved within 4-6 months of implantation. The one year actuarial potency rate among 18 patients who were potent prior to implantation was 94%. By 6 months after implantation, 14/17 patients (82%) with Stage B tumors had complete regression of palpable disease. Of 17 patients with Stage A or B tumors who presented with an elevated PSA, 76% returned to the normal range within 6 months of implantation.

CONCLUSION

CT-guided transperineal prostate implants entail moderate, temporary urinary and rectral morbidity. Short-term tumor responses are encouraging.