Preliminary Results of Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Positive Patients

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to report on the clinical outcomes of patients treated at our institution for prostate cancer (PCa) who had been previously diagnosed as Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive.

Methods

The authors conducted a retrospective study of 14 PCa/HIV patients who were being treated for PCa with external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, or a combination of the two. Each patient's prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, CD4 count, and viral load were obtained before the initial radiation treatment and at the time of their most recent follow-up. In addition, 13 of 14 patients completed a quality of life survey with a social worker on staff and were examined by their radiation oncologist to assess the complications after treatment.

Results

Comparing pretreatment data with the data at last follow-up, only 1 patient's PSA level remained above 1.1 ng/mL. The average CD4 count remained stable, increasing from 523 to 577 cells/mm³, with the lowest final count at 200 cells/mm³. Viral load increased in only 2 of 14 patients. There were no unusual rectal, urinary, or sexual complications, and no infections related to treatment.

Conclusions

Based on changes in viral load and CD4 count, radiotherapy does not appear to have a long-term negative effect on the immune system. Treatment complications are consistent with HIV-negative patients, giving no evidence that the subset of PCa/HIV patients should be treated differently from PCa patients without HIV when considering radiation therapy. More investigation will be necessary before reliable mortality and morbidity data can be assessed.