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Proton Therapy Delivery and Its Clinical Application in Select Solid Tumor Malignancies

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Published on: February 6, 2019

Prostate brachytherapy in Ghana: our initial experience.

James Edward Mensah¹, Joel Yarney², Verna Vanderpuye²

¹Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School.

Journal of Contemporary Brachytherapy

|November 30, 2016

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This study demonstrates that permanent brachytherapy for prostate cancer in Ghana yields favorable outcomes, comparable to international standards. Adequate training and proctoring are key to safe and effective implementation in resource-limited settings.

Area of Science:

Oncology
Radiation Oncology
Medical Technology Transfer

Background:

Brachytherapy is a crucial treatment modality for prostate cancer.
Implementing advanced cancer treatments in resource-limited settings presents unique challenges.
Technology transfer and local expertise development are vital for sustainable healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the outcomes of prostate cancer brachytherapy in Ghana.
To assess the effectiveness of technology transfer and proctoring in establishing a brachytherapy program.
To analyze patient outcomes based on risk stratification.

Main Methods:

A cohort of 90 prostate cancer patients treated between 2008 and 2014 at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra.
Patients were stratified into low, intermediate, and high-risk groups per NCCN criteria.

Keywords:

Ghana LDR brachytherapy proctoring prostate cancer seeds

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Treatment involved brachytherapy alone or combined with external beam radiotherapy.

Main Results:

Favorable freedom from biochemical failure rates: 95.4% (low), 90.9% (intermediate), and 70.8% (high-risk).
Clinical stage, Gleason score, and risk group were predictive of outcome; PSA was not.
Most patients experienced self-limiting urinary symptoms; a few required catheterization or developed a fistula.

Conclusions:

Permanent brachytherapy for prostate cancer can be safely and effectively performed in resource-constrained environments.
The program's success highlights the value of international collaboration, training, and proctoring.
Outcomes achieved in Ghana are comparable to those from institutions with greater experience.