 |
The Prostate Seed Institute (PSI) is firmly committed to high
quality care. For Prostate brachytherapy, this entails
preplanning
processes, a high quality implant via an experienced
brachytherapist,
and detailed quality assurance review done after post-planning.
The post planning process entails patients returning
approximately
one month after the seed implant. Patients are assessed
clinically
for any symptoms they may be experiencing. A CT scan is obtained
of
the pelvis. The data is downloaded to our physicist’s planning
computer. The anatomic structures of interest such as the
prostate
gland, bladder, urethra, and rectum are contoured. The seeds are
localized within the prostate gland. Utilizing the computer
algorithm, we input the activity of the seeds to assess
quantitative
dose distribution.
Over the years certain standards have been developed within the
radiation oncology profession delineating what a quality seed
implant is. We assess the dose of radiation delivered to at least
90% of the prostate (D90), the volume of the prostate gland
receiving 90% of the desired dose (V90), and the volume of the
rectum receiving 100% of the treatment dose (R100). We also
assess
for cold spots within the prostate gland which could indicate an
inadequate outcome despite the D90 and V90.
The graphs below review data for the past 2 to 3 years
delineating
our D90, V90, and R100. It also shows changes in dose
distribution,
relating to patients necessitating re-implantation as well
demonstrating the number of seeds necessary to deliver the dose
required depending upon the size of the prostate gland.
Please take a moment to review the slides below. It is such
quality
assurance data that renders confidence to patients that their
individual outcomes should be comparable to those reported in the
medical literature.
|
