Howard Pai

Population‐based 10‐year oncologic outcomes after low‐dose‐rate brachytherapy for low‐risk and intermediate‐risk prostate cancer

The objective of this study was to report the rates of disease‐free survival (DFS), cause‐specific survival (CSS), and overall survival after low‐dose‐rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy (PB).

Is Canada ready for patient accessible electronic health records? A national scan

BackgroundAccess to personal health information through the electronic health record (EHR) is an innovative means to enable people to be active participants in their own health care. Currently this is not an available option for consumers of health. The absence of a key technology, the EHR, is a significant obstacle to providing patient accessible electronic records. To assess the readiness for the implementation and adoption of EHRs in Canada, a national scan was conducted to determine organizational readiness and willingness for patient accessible electronic records.MethodsA survey was conducted of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Canadian public and acute care hospitals.ResultsTwo hundred thirteen emails were sent to CEOs of Canadian general and acute care hospitals, with a 39% response rate. Over half (54.2%) of hospitals had some sort of EHR, but few had a record that was predominately electronic. Financial resources were identified as the most important barrier to providing patients access to their EHR and there was a divergence in perceptions from healthcare providers and what they thought patients would want in terms of access to the EHR, with providers being less willing to provide access and patients desire for greater access to the full record.ConclusionAs the use of EHRs becomes more commonplace, organizations should explore the possibility of responding to patient needs for clinical information by providing access to their EHR. The best way to achieve this is still being debated.

Rectal toxicity and rectal dosimetry in low-dose-rate 125I permanent prostate implants: A long-term study in 1006 patients

OBJECTIVE To describe the acute and late rectal toxicity in 1006 prostate brachytherapy patients implanted 1998-2003. To determine whether rectal dose-volume histogram as well as patient and treatment factors were associated with rectal toxicity. METHODS AND MATERIALS Median followup was 60.7 months. Rectal dosimetry was calculated as dose-volume histogram of the rectum using Day 28 CT-based dosimetry and expressed as volume of the rectum in cc receiving 50%, 100%, and 150% of the prescription dose (VR(50cc), VR(100cc), and VR(150cc), respectively). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the influence of patient, implant, dosimetry, and learning curve factors on the development of acute and late toxicities using a modified Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scale. Acute toxicity was analyzed using logistic regression and late toxicity using Cox proportional hazards regression. Analysis of variance was used to examine the association between rectal toxicity and rectal dose. RESULTS Rectal dosimetry in 93.5% and rectal toxicity in 96.2% have been recorded. Median VR(100)=1.05cc. Late RTOG Grades 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 were recorded in 68%, 23%, 7.3%, 0.9%, and 0.2% patients, respectively. On multivariate analysis, acute RTOG ≥2 rectal toxicity was associated with urinary retention (p=0.036) and learning curve (p=0.015); late RTOG ≥2 was associated with the presence of acute toxicity (p=0.0074), higher VR(100) (p=0.030) and learning curve (p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS Late rectal RTOG ≥2 rectal toxicity in this cohort was 8%. Increased VR(100), presence of acute rectal toxicity, and learning curve were associated with higher rate of late RTOG ≥2 toxicity. Severe late rectal toxicity after prostate brachytherapy was rare.

Is Biochemical Response More Important Than Duration of Neoadjuvant Hormone Therapy Before Radiotherapy for Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer? An Analysis of the 3- Versus 8-Month Randomized Trial

PURPOSE To ascertain whether biochemical response to neoadjuvant androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) before radiotherapy (RT), rather than duration, is the critical determinant of benefit in the multimodal treatment of localized prostate cancer, by comparing outcomes of subjects from the Canadian multicenter 3- vs 8-month trial with a pre-RT, post-hormone PSA (PRPH-PSA) < or =0.1 ng/ml vs those >0.1 ng/ml. METHODS AND MATERIALS From 1995 to 2001, 378 men with localized prostate cancer were randomized to 3 or 8 months of neoadjuvant ADT before RT. On univariate analysis, survival indices were compared between those with a PRPH-PSA < or =0.1 ng/ml vs >0.1 ng/ml, for all patients and subgroups, including treatment arm, risk group, and gleason Score. Multivariate analysis identified independent predictors of outcome. RESULTS Biochemical disease-free survival (bDFS) was significantly higher for those with a PRPH-PSA < or =0.1 ng/ml compared with PRPH-PSA >0.1 ng/ml (55.3% vs 49.4%, p = 0.014). No difference in survival indices was observed between treatment arms. There was no difference in bDFS between patients in the 3- and 8-month arms with a PRPH-PSA < or =0.1 ng/ml nor those with PRPH-PSA >0.1 ng/ml. bDFS was significantly higher for high-risk patients with PRPH-PSA < or =0.1 ng/ml compared with PRPH-PSA >0.1 ng/ml (57.0% vs 29.4%, p = 0.017). Multivariate analysis identified PRPH-PSA (p = 0.041), Gleason score (p = 0.001), initial PSA (p = 0.025), and T-stage (p = 0.003), not ADT duration, as independent predictors of outcome. CONCLUSION Biochemical response to neoadjuvant ADT before RT, not duration, appears to be the critical determinant of benefit in the setting of combined therapy. Individually tailored ADT duration based on PRPH-PSA would maximize therapeutic gain, while minimizing the duration of ADT and its related toxicities.

Radiation oncology and medical physicists quality assurance in British Columbia Cancer Agency Provincial Prostate Brachytherapy Program

PURPOSE To describe in detail British Columbia (BC) Cancer Agency (BCCA) Provincial Prostate Brachytherapy (PB) Quality Assurance (QA) Program. METHODS AND MATERIALS The BCCA PB Program was established in 1997. It operates as one system, unified and supported by electronic and information systems, making it a single PB treatment provider for province of BC and Yukon. To date, >4000 patients have received PB (450 implants in 2011), making it the largest program in Canada. The Program maintains a large provincial prospective electronic database with records on all patients, including disease characteristics, risk stratification, pathology, preplan and postimplant dosimetric data, follow-up of prostate-specific antigen, and toxicity outcomes. RESULTS QA was an integral part of the program since its inception. A formal QA Program was established in 2002, with key components that include: unified eligibility criteria and planning system, comprehensive database, physics and oncologist training and mentorship programs, peer review process, individual performance outcomes and feedback process, structured continuing education and routine assessment of the programs dosimetry, toxicity and prostate-specific antigen outcomes, administration and program leadership that promotes a strong culture of patient safety. The emphasis on creating a robust, broad-based network of skilled providers has been achieved by the programs requirements for training, education, and the QA process. CONCLUSIONS The formal QA process is considered a key factor for the success of cancer control outcomes achieved at BCCA. Although this QA model may not be wholly transferable to all PB programs, some of its key components may be applicable to other programs to ensure quality in PB and patient safety.

Randomized study evaluating testosterone recovery using short-versus long-acting luteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonists

INTRODUCTION : We sought to compare the rate of return of testosterone levels and sexual function in men with prostate cancer receiving longer acting, 3-month preparation of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (L-LHRH-A) versus shorter acting, 1-month preparation of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (S-LHRH-A). METHODS AND MATERIALS : Men with low to intermediate risk localized prostate cancer were randomized to either L-LHRH-A (2-3 month duration LHRH-A) or S-LHRH-A (6-1 month duration LHRH-A) of androgen suppression therapy (AST) and prostate brachytherapy using iodine-125 radioisotopes. Serum total testosterone levels and PSA were recorded every 2 months for 2 years. RESULTS : A planned target sample size of 100 was not achieved due to insufficient accrual. A total of 55 patients were randomized and 46 were used for analysis. The median time to recovery of testosterone to baseline levels (calculated from end of AST) was 8 and 4 months in the L-LHRH-A and S-LHRH-A arms, respectively (p = 0.268). The median time to testosterone recovery to lower limit of reference range was 4 and 2 months respectively (p = 0.087). INTERPRETATION : This randomized study, which failed to reach accrual target, showed a trend towards more rapid recovery of testosterone levels using shorter acting LHRH-A. Another randomized study would be required to validate these findings. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of shorter acting LHRH-A as a means of providing more rapid recovery of testosterone levels.

Penile necrosis requiring penectomy complicating recto-urethral fistula post prostate cancer external beam radiation and brachytherapy

Radiation therapy is a well-recognized treatment for unfavourable risk localized prostate cancer. Radiation induced recto-urethral fistulae are known rare complications particularly from brachytherapy. We report a case of a recto-urethral fistula 7 years post-external beam radiation and I-125 brachytherapy, which was complicated by a severe polymicrobial soft tissue infection. This infection required penectomy and pelvic exenteration with diverting colostomy, Indiana pouch urinary diversion and gracilis myo-cutaneuos flap closure of the perineum.