Record Status This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database. Citation Wills F, Hailey D. Brachytherapy for prostate cancer. Edmonton: Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR). AHFMR HTA Report 17. 1999 Authors' objectives This report aims to review the recent literature relating to the use of brachytherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Authors' conclusions Biochemical outcomes indicate that brachytherapy is a reasonable option for treatment of early prostate cancer in the short term, or as a boost to external beam radiation in more advanced stages. However, its potential for influencing overall outcomes, particularly long term morbidity and survival are unknown.
Alternative or complementary treatments such as radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy are continuing to evolve so that the safety and efficacy of brachytherapy relative to these is not certain and may continue to change.
This report suggests that, given these uncertainties, which are likely to continue, the choice of treatment for localised prostate cancer will likely continue to be made on the basis of physician and patient preference, rather than as a result of scientific proof that one treatment modality is of superior effectiveness.
Indexing Status Subject indexing assigned by CRD MeSH Brachytherapy; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radiotherapy Language Published English Country of organisation Canada English summary An English language summary is available. Address for correspondence 1200, 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3N4. Tel: +1 780 448 4881; Fax: +1 780 448 0018 Email: djuzwishin@ihe.ca AccessionNumber 31999008588 Date bibliographic record published 23/03/2000 Date abstract record published 23/03/2000 |