Prostate perfusion in patients with locally advanced prostate carcinoma treated with different hyperthermia techniques.

Abstract

We determined prostate perfusion in 18 patients with locally advanced prostate carcinoma treated with a combination of external beam irradiation and regional (10) or interstitial (8) hyperthermia. Perfusion values were calculated from temperature elevations due to constant applied power and from transient temperature measurements after a change in applied power. Student's t test was used for comparing perfusion values with time and in the 2 groups. At the start of regional hyperthermia treatment mean estimated perfusion plus or minus standard deviation was 10 +/- 8 ml./100 gm. per minute. At the end of treatment mean perfusion was increased to 14 +/- 2 ml./100 gm. per minute (p <0.01). Achieved thermal parameters were a mean temperature of at least 40.3C +/- 0.6C in 90% of the prostate, 40.9C +/- 0.6C in 50% and a mean maximum temperature of 41.6C +/- 0.6C. At the end of interstitial hyperthermia treatment estimated mean perfusion was 47 +/- 5 ml./100 gm. per minute, which was significantly different compared with the end of regional hyperthermia (p < 0(-7) ). Mean temperature was at least 39.4C +/- 0.9C in 90% of the prostate and 41.8C +/- 1.6C in 50%, while mean maximum temperature was 53.1C +/- 6.3C. Systemic temperature increased during regional hyperthermia up to 38.6C, whereas during interstitial hyperthermia body temperature was not elevated. During interstitial hyperthermia perfusion values are higher than during regional hyperthermia. Hyperthermia causes increased prostate perfusion.