
			[ contact us ]


	[ International visitors ]
	UK
	US
	Canada
	Deutsch
	Español
	Français
	Italiano
	Nederlands
	Português

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a minimally invasive procedure where the doctor implants tiny permanent radioactive seeds (about the size of a grain of rice) into the prostate. They irradiate the cancer from inside the gland. The implanted seeds are small enough that they will not be felt by the patient. Depending on your circumstances, either radioactive Iodine (I -125) or palladium (Pd-103) will be used. Brachytherapy is also referred to as interstitial radiation therapy or seed implant therapy.

Before the seeds are implanted under anesthesia, needles containing the seeds are then inserted through the skin of the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus) using ultrasound guidance. The seeds remain in the prostate, where the radioactive material gives off localised radiation for a number of months to destroy the prostate cancer.

Seed implantation is an effective treatment for men with localised prostate cancer. Seed implantation requires no surgical incision and offers men a short recovery time. Brachytherapy can be an outpatient procedure, and most men go home the same day as their treatment. Additionally, most men can return to their normal activities a few days after treatment.

When is Brachytherapy Used?
Brachytherapy is an option for patients with localised (organ-confined) prostate cancer. New advances in seed technology have made available versions of seeds that allow doctors to securely place them at the border of and adjacent to the prostate.

Interest in brachytherapy has been strong over the past few decades and radiation therapy has been shown to be as effective against prostate cancer.

There is one major minimally-invasive treatment for prostate cancer today.

Brachytherapy
With brachytherapy, small radioactive seeds are implanted into the prostate where they irradiate prostate tissue. Side effects and discomfort are minimal, and the entire procedure usually takes less than an hour. For most patients this is an outpatient procedure and they go home the same day, returning to normal activities a few days later.

Effectiveness of Brachytherapy
In 2004, 15-year data was presented which demonstrated that brachytherapy is effective for treating prostate cancer. This data was reported at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2004 Annual Meeting by John E. Sylvester, MD during the Genitourinary (Prostate) Cancer (Poster Discussion). Additionally, published 12-year data showed that disease-free survival rates were between 81% and 93%.*

Further advances in brachytherapy, such as the introduction of stranded seeds, allow for increased precision in the placement of seeds. Stranded brachytherapy products enable the seeds to more securely remain where they are placed and effectively deliver radiation as planned by the physician.

*12-Year Outcomes Following Permanent Prostate Brachytherapy in Patients with Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer. Louis Potters, et al. The Journal of Urology Vol 173 (2005) 1562-1566

Risks of Brachytherapy
The chances of developing impotence or incontinence with the brachytherapy procedure are less when compared to other treatments.

Recovery Time After Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is a same-day discharge procedure, usually lasting around an hour. Recovery usually takes only a day or two, and most men return to work or their normal activities within a few days. Physicians recommend waiting about two weeks until resuming sexual activity.

Side Effects of Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy may have some minimal side effects, such as a burning sensation during urination or ejaculation and increase in urinary frequency. These symptoms are usually treated supportively and disappear over time. In few patients, temporary difficulties with urination may be experienced for a few weeks to a few months after the implant.



	myprostatecanceroptions.com is funded by an educational grant from Oncura Copyright 2007 \| Disclaimer \| Privacy Statement \| Site Map