Purpose: A range of (125)I isotope activities is used in permanent prostate implants. In this study, we compared the implant quality and cost in patients randomized to high-source or low-source strength permanent implants.
Methods and materials: Forty patients were randomized to receive high (0.76 microGy/m(2)/h) or low (0.4 microGy/m(2)/h) seed strength implants. The two treatment arms had a comparable mix of primary and boost patients and underwent implantation by the same team. The postimplant dosimetric evaluation was performed using CT (seed position) and T(2)-weighted MRI (prostate) scans registered using mutual information techniques. The implant quality parameters were assessed by dose indexes (ratio of achieved dose to planned dose) to quantify the relative error tolerance.
Results: The high-source strength implants had better dose coverage as defined by the dose index; a larger percentage of volume receiving 100% of the prescribed dose as determined by CT (V(100)) (96.3% +/- 3.5% vs. 90.4% +/- 5.3%; p <0.002); lower seed cost (2400 US dollar vs. 3840 US dollar average/case); and took less operating room time on average (67 +/- 16 min vs. 85 +/- 20 min; p <0.004). Finally, the differences in the rectal and urethral doses were not statistically significant between the two treatment arms.
Conclusion: All 40 patients received an excellent implant as indicated by the CT V(100). Unless long-term toxicity differs, high-source strength seed implants improve the probability of excellent implant quality and decrease the average cost of permanent prostate implants.