What Researchers Did
Researchers looked at outcomes for men with early-stage penile cancer treated with a type of internal radiation therapy called high-dose rate brachytherapy.
What They Found
This retrospective study of 12 patients treated with high-dose rate interstitial brachytherapy for T1-T2 penile cancer reported 5-year actuarial survival rates of 83% relapse-free, 100% cause-specific, and 78% overall survival. Urinary and sexual function scores (IPSS and IIEF-5) showed no change after treatment. All patients had skin reactions (dermatitis) one month after treatment, including 6 mild (G1), 5 moderate (G2), and 1 severe (G3) case; that single severe case was reported as successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. One patient also developed a severe narrowing of the urinary opening that required minor surgery.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This study is about a radiation-based treatment for penile cancer, not a study of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. HBOT appears only as the treatment given to one patient for a severe skin reaction after radiation, a single case rather than a controlled comparison, so this abstract does not show how well HBOT works for that use. Patients considering this radiation approach for penile cancer should discuss survival outcomes and potential skin-related side effects with their treatment team.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The study involved only 12 patients at a single center with a median follow-up of 27 months, which limits how broadly the survival and toxicity findings can be applied.