Prostate Battle get Results
Media Release 20 October 2009
The Wesley Hospital in Brisbane has one of the largest brachytherapy programs in Australia.
Brachytherapy is a minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment with minimal side-effects. The
Hospital performs both Low Dose Rate (LDR) Prostatic brachytherapy, in which radioactive
‘seeds’ are implanted into the prostate, and High Dose Rate (HDR) Prostatic brachytherapy in
which the radiation is delivered via the insertion of approximately 15 rods.
Dr. John Yaxley, Urologist, presented a study on the results of the first 1000 patients treated at
the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand’s (USANZ) Northern Section Annual
Scientific Meeting, held in Byron Bay this weekend. The Unit has performed a total of 1081
brachytherapy procedures since Aug 2000, with 771 of these being HDR implants and 310 of
these being LDR implants, which were first introduced in July 2003.
The result’s indicated highly successful cure rates for both procedures, comparable to surgery,
coupled with favourable quality of life outcomes thanks to brachytherapy’s minimal side-effects
profile. The LDR results showed that 99% of men were free from disease recurrence over the
study period, with less patients suffering impotence over a four year period than would with
surgery. The occurrence of incontinence was less than one percent. The average operation time
for this minimally invasive procedure was 95 minutes, resulting in only overnight hospital stays for
patients and those that did elect to leave on the same day were all medically cleared to do so.
Complications of LDR brachytherapy include stinging and burning during urination, which usually
resolves within the first 12 months but has resulted in chronic problems in2% of those treated.
There is good quality of life outcome from brachytherapy, especially early maintenance of erectile
capacity with LDR and a low risk of urinary incontinence.
HDR patients are listed in a higher risk category, as the procedure is usually performed on
patients whose cancer has spread outside the prostate and are usually not suited for surgery.
The results focused on the first 272 patients to undergo the procedure to allow for a minimum of
five and a half years follow up. The median age of patients was between 61 and 70 and resulted
in 77% of men testing disease free at the time of the study. This shows HDR Brachytherapy
provides excellent local control and biochemical freedom from disease in intermediate and high
risk prostate cancer. The most significant side effects from HDR brachytherapy was urethral
stricture, which occurred in 7% of the patients.
Dr. Yaxley said, “I believe that our results clearly show that brachytherapy is a safe and effective
option in the treatment of prostate cancer for Queensland men.”
-ends-
For more information, images or interview requests please call Travers Purton:
Ph: (03) 9912 6839 Mob: 0431 433 130 Email: travers @mwcmedia.com.au
Dr. John Yaxley
The Wesley Hospital - 451 Coronation Drive, Auchenflower QLD 4066
Tel: (07) 3232 7000 Fax: (07) 3371 6834
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