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Prostate Cancer Treatment: Brachytherapy Brachytherapy involves implanting tiny, radioactive capsules (called "seeds") into the cancerous prostate gland. The seeds emit radiation that kills the malignant tumor. Men with small tumors confined to the prostate (stage T1 or T2) are candidates for brachytherapy. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) is used to create a three-dimensional grid map of the prostate, and a computer calculates the volume of the gland, the number of seeds needed, and determines where they will be placed. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and takes 45 to 60 minutes. The patient is given regional anesthesia. A needle is inserted through the perineum and into the predetermined site(s). Fifty to 100 rice-sized seeds are implanted into the prostate through the needle. The seeds contain a radioactive isotope (usually palladium 103 or iodine 125) that emits radiation for about 3 months and then becomes inert. [ back to top ] Brachytherapy patients are discharged the same day and usually resume routine activity within a day or so.
A small number of patients, generally those over age 70, experience incontinence or impotence. Learn more about brachytherapy from the American Brachytherapy Society The information on this page is reprinted fromurologychannel with permission from Healthcommunities.com, publisher of urologychannel. [ back to top ]
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