@Article{Mahdavi2017,
journal="Journal of Contemporary Brachytherapy",
issn="1689-832X",
volume="9",
number="3",
year="2017",
title="Focal application of low-dose-rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer: a pilot study",
abstract=" Purpose:  To evaluate the feasibility and to report the early outcomes of focal treatment of prostate cancer using low- dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-PB).    Material and methods:   Seventeen patients were screened with multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), 14 of whom proceeded to receive trans-perineal template mapping biopsy (TTMB). Focal LDR-PB was performed on five eligible patients using dual air kerma strength treatment plans based on planning target volumes derived from cancer locations and determined by TTMB. Patient follow-up includes prostate specific antigen (PSA) measurements, urinary and sexual function questionnaires, repeated imaging and TTMB at specific intervals post-treatment.    Results:   Feasibility of focal LDR-PB was shown and short-term outcomes are promising. While the detection rate of tumors, a majority of which were low grade GS 3 + 3, was found to be low on mpMRI (sensitivity of 37.5%), our results suggest the potential of mpMRI in detecting the presence of higher grade (GS ≥ 3 + 4), and bilateral disease indicating its usefulness as a screening tool for focal LDR-PB.    Conclusions : Low-dose-rate brachytherapy is a favorable ablation option for focal treatment of prostate cancer, requiring minimal modification to the standard (whole gland) LDR-PB treatment, and appears to have a more favorable side effect profile. Further investigation, in the form of a larger study, is needed to assess the methods used and the long-term outcomes of focal LDR-PB.",
author="Mahdavi, S. Sara
and Spadinger, Ingrid T.
and Salcudean, Septimiu E.
and Kozlowski, Piotr
and Chang, Silvia D.
and Ng, Tony
and Lobo, Julio
and Nir, Guy
and Moradi, Hamid
and Peacock, Michael
and Morris, James",
pages="197--208",
doi="10.5114/jcb.2017.68424",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/jcb.2017.68424"
}