Prostate Brachytherapy UK & Ireland 11-12 June 2026

One Minute Poster Pitches Archive

UK & Ireland Prostate Brachytherapy Conference 2024

Abstract number 5 

RTT-led follow-up using patient-reported outcome measures following HDR-brachytherapy for prostate cancer

Sarah Stead, Lauren Oliver, Richard Walshaw, Chinnamani Eswar, Isabel Syndikus, R Hunter 

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre 

Purpose: High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is an important treatment for patients with prostate cancer. Limited data are available using patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) which may provide a robust measure of longterm toxicity compared to clinician-reported outcomes (1,2). We aimed to profile late effects using PROMs to enable us to better inform patients prior to treatment of potential outcomes. 

Methods: Retrospectively-identified patients who had received HDR brachytherapy in the last 6-36 months were sent a paper questionnaire containing validated PROMs tools (IIEF-5, IPSS and ALERT-B) and questions on lifestyle factors. 

Results: 28 patients (62%) returned questionnaires. Mean age was 67 years (50-78), median follow-up was 28 months (11-47). 21 (75%) had T3 disease, 18 (64%) Gleason 8. 18 (64%) of patients received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for 2 years, (20) 71% received EBRT after brachytherapy. Of those who received primary treatment, 20/24 (83%) had no biochemical recurrence. Post treatment, 17 (61%), 8 (29%) and 3 (11%) experienced mild, moderate and severe urinary toxicity, respectively. 21 (75%) reported mild or no bowel symptoms. 19 (68%) reported significant erectile dysfunction, of whom 12 were still undergoing ADT. There was no correlation between toxicity and caffeine/alcohol intake or smoking. 

Conclusion: Longterm toxicity as assessed by PROMs was acceptable. A significant proportion of patients did not return the questionnaire. We are now undertaking a prospective project using electronically-gathered PROMs longitudinally. This may improve return rates, and provide a clearer picture of how toxicity evolves over time. Radiation therapists (RTT) can play an important role in identifying toxicities of radiotherapy (3-7). This study will also pilot extending their role in long term follow-up after brachytherapy. Patients with significant symptoms using predefined criteria will be triaged by brachytherapy RTTs to start additional management/refer to other health care professionals as appropriate.

References: 

  1. Petersen SE, Thorsen LB, Hansen S, Petersen PM, Lindberg H, Moe M, et al. A phase I/II study of acute and late physician assessed and patient-reported morbidity following whole pelvic radiation in high-risk prostate cancer patients. Acta. Oncol. 2021 Sep;61(2):179-184. doi: 10.1080/0284186X.2021.1979246 
  2. Rammant E, Ost P, Swimberghe M, Vanderstraeten, B, Lumen N, Decaestecker K, et al. Patient versus physician-reported outcomes in prostate cancer patients receiving hypofractionated radiotherapy within a randomised controlled trial. Strahlenther Onkol. 2019 May;195:393-401. doi: 10.1007/s00066-018-1395-y 
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  4. Verma R, Treasure P & Hughes R. Development and evaluation of radiographer led telephone follow up following radical radiotherapy to the prostate. A report of a Macmillan Cancer Support Sponsored Pilot project at Mount Vernon Hospital. Radiography. 2015 Feb;21(1):16-24. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2014.05.003 
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  6. Ormerod AM & Jessop AJ. An evaluation of support of patients with prostate cancer during and beyond radiotherapy treatment. A local perspective on future provision. J Radiother Pract. 2015 Jul;14(4):370-377. doi: 10.1017/S1460396915000308 
  7. Oliveira C, Barbosa B, Couto JG, Bravo I, Khine R & McNair H. Advanced practice roles of therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists: A systematic literature review. Radiography. 2022 Aug;28(3):605-619. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2022.04.009