Permanent LDR prostate brachytherapy: Comprehensive characterization of seed-dynamics within the prostate on a seed-only level

• DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2022.04.007
• Publication Date: 2022-05-26T05:45:56Z
• Authors: Andre Karius; Michael Lotter; Stephan Kreppner; Verena Schaller; Dorota Lubgan; Johanna Grigo; Rainer Fietkau; Vratislav Strnad; Christoph Bert
• Keywords: Male; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; Brachytherapy; Prostate; Rectum; Humans; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radiotherapy Dosage

Seed brachytherapy is a well-established treatment modality for prostate cancer. However, there is still a lack of profound characterizations of seed motions within the prostate. We assessed these dynamics between day 0 and day 30 of brachytherapy.We considered 45 patients with 2408 implanted seeds, and performed a 1:1 assignment between their positions on post-plan CT (nominal day 30) and intraoperative ultrasound (day 0). Geometric seed arrangement changes were measured for each patient and the entire collective. The impact of seed strand-lengths and implant regions was investigated. Correlations with patient characteristics were evaluated. We determined corresponding dosimetric effects by calculating common dose metrics.We found a median seed displacement of 4.3 mm [interquartile range: 3.1-6.9 mm], occurring preferentially in superior-inferior direction. Single and double strands moved significantly stronger than strands of higher lengths. Seed dynamics was more pronounced in base (5.6 mm [3.7-10.7 mm]) and apex (6.5 mm [4.1-15.0 mm]) than in the mid-gland (3.8 mm [2.7-5.0 mm]), and less pronounced in peripheral (4.3 mm [3.0-6.7 mm]) than in urethra-near (5.5 mm [3.5-10.7 mm]) regions. Correlations of seed dynamics with prostate volume changes and the number of implanted seeds and needles were found. D90 (dose that 90% of the prostate receives) varied by a median of 3 Gy [-6 to 15 Gy] between treatment plan and post-plan, but >40 Gy for individual patients.Reducing seed dynamics is important to ensure a high treatment quality. For this, strands containing ≥3 seeds may be useful, implantations in base-, apex-, and urethra-near zone should be avoided, and the number of needles and seeds may be minimized where possible.