PurposeTo assess the effectiveness of low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy in patients with localized prostate cancer and to compare the outcome with predictions from Kattan and Partin nomograms at 60 months after seed implantation.Material and methodsOne thousand, one hundred and eighty-seven patients with localized prostate cancer at low-, intermediate-, or high-risk of progression received LDR brachytherapy using iodine-125 seeds with curative intent, applied as monotherapy or in combination with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and/or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). At 60 months after seed implantation, data of 1,064 patients (1,058 alive + 6 who died of prostate cancer) were analyzed for biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels using the Phoenix definition. Five-year bPFS probabilities were determined for various risk group classifications (d’Amico, Mt. Sinai, MSKCC/Seattle, NCCN). Outcomes were also compared to patient-individualized nomogram predictions of 5-year bPFS (Kattan 2002) and probability of organ-confined disease (Kattan 2002, Partin 2007).ResultsOverall, 93.3% (993/1,064) of the patients were free of biochemical progression within 5 years, while the average 5-year bPFS probability according to the Kattan nomogram was significantly lower (85%, p < 0.001). Outcomes were significantly better than Kattan nomogram predictions in the subgroup of patients with monotherapy as well as in patients additionally treated with EBRT. Comparison of the overall outcome with nomogram predictions for organ-confined disease (Kattan nomogram: 50%; Partin nomogram: 65%) revealed a significant probability of LDR brachytherapy to destroy periprostatic tumor spread (p < 0.001) in all risk group constellations, even in high-risk patients.ConclusionsThe results indicate high effectiveness of LDR brachytherapy in all risk groups, significantly better than predicted with the Kattan nomogram in most subgroups. The significant superiority of LDR brachytherapy compared to nomogram predictions of organ-confined disease suggests that LDR brachytherapy effectively controls both intra- and periprostatic disease.

Despite the considerable failure rate, the substantial improvement in the quality of life of almost two-thirds of the patients during long-term followup and the lack of superior techniques qualify the Stamey bladder neck suspension as a treatment of choice for urinary stress incontinence in women. We strongly emphasize the need for standardized questionnaire based outcome analyses for the evaluation of incontinence surgery.

The methodology used to assess postoperative continence has a significant effect on the outcome of incontinence surgery. Retrospective chart review studies consistently report higher success rates than patient questionnaire-based outcome analyses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the true long-term results of the Stamey bladder neck suspension procedure using an anonymous patient questionnaire. Of 172 consecutive patients, 138 (80.2%) returned a questionnaire on long-term continence, complications and subjective satisfaction with the operative result. With a mean follow-up of 66 months, 65 of 130 evaluable patients (50.0%) remained completely continent while 15 (11.5%) never became continent and 50 (38.5%) had recurrent incontinence 6-90 months postoperatively. Almost two-thirds of the patients felt either cured or substantially improved more than 5 years after surgery. Stamey bladder neck suspension leads to a persistently improved quality of life despite a considerable failure rate. Our study demonstrates the advantages of patient questionnaires for outcome analyses and emphasizes the need for standardisation and validation to allow comparisons between the results of different incontinence procedure in the future.

Despite the considerable failure rate, the substantial improvement in the quality of life of almost two-thirds of the patients during long-term followup and the lack of superior techniques qualify the Stamey bladder neck suspension as a treatment of choice for urinary stress incontinence in women. We strongly emphasize the need for standardized questionnaire based outcome analyses for the evaluation of incontinence surgery.

Successful preservation of the neuro-vascular bundle (NVB) during anatomical nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (NS-RRP) for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer is a great operative challenge. We employed a new dissection method using water-jet technology for the preservation of the NVB. We evaluated intraoperative parameters, complications and early functional results regarding continence and potency. The results were compared to a conventional operative technique. Bilateral NS-RRP was performed by the same urologist in 36 consecutive cases between January and December 2000. Eighteen patients underwent NS-RRP using water-jet dissection (ERBE Helix Hydro-Jet). Eighteen patients underwent a standard NS-RRP. Water-jet dissection was used exclusively for nerve-sparing. We assessed blood loss, operation time, complications and incidence of blood transfusions. Early continence and potency rates were evaluated. Nerve-sparing using the Hydro-Jet technique appeared to be easier, more subtle and faster compared with the standard surgical technique. The exact dissection of the layers allowed a selective dissection and better control of crossing vessels to the prostate. Blood loss was reduced by 36% (p=0.02), no blood transfusion was necessary and the operation time was reduced by 20% (p=0.02). There were no major complications. Continence rates 3 months after RRP were 77.7% in the water jet group and 66.6% in the standard group, and overall potency rates (any grade of erection) were 77.7% and 55.5% respectively. Water-jet dissection is a feasible, safe and efficient technique to facilitate NS-RRP. There is a minimal learning curve with comparable functional results to the conventional procedure. Further improvements in the water-jet application and a longer follow-up might lead to further improvements in continence and potency rates in patients undergoing NS-RRP.