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Prostate brachytherapy is a minimally invasive therapy for prostate cancer in which radioactive metallic seeds are placed into the prostate in order to deliver radiation therapy and destroy the cancer cells.
Indications
- Primary therapy for low or moderate risk prostate cancer
Procedure
An initial study is performed with ultrasound to map the prostate in order to determine the exact dose of radiation and the precise placement of the seeds. A team, including your urologist, radiation oncologist, and a radiation physicist, then works together to plan the best treatment. At a later date, the patient returns, is given general anesthesia, and an ultrasound probe is then placed into the rectum to image the prostate and precisely place the seeds according to the previously determined plan. This second procedure takes a few hours to complete. Some patients require additional external beam radiation therapy to completely treat their prostate cancer.
Advantages
- Minimally invasive therapy for prostate cancer
- Shortened recovery
- Good success rates and low complications
Side Effects
Many patients will experience some swelling and minimal discomfort after the procedure. Some patients will have difficulty with urination due to swelling of the prostate and may require temporary placement of a catheter. Occasionally, patients will see blood in their urine, which typically resolves in a short time. Some patients will have some change in their bowel function (for example, diarrhea or sudden need to use the restroom), which can be treated with medications.
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