Brachytherapy
The term brachytherapy refers to the placement of radioactive seeds or pellets directly into a cancerous organ. In the case of prostate cancer, radioactive seeds are placed directly into the prostate with an ultrasound probe positioned in the rectum to guide seed placement.
This new form of treatment is increasing in popularity because of its minimally invasive nature and quick recovery. The procedure is generally done on either an outpatient basis or with an overnight hospital stay. There is some pain associated with the actual seed placement and, for that reason, general anesthesia is required. The entire procedure typically takes two to two and one-half hours.
Not all patients with prostate cancer are candidates for brachytherapy. One of the most critical prerequisites for this form of treatment is a prostate small enough to allow adequate dosing of the radiation to the entire prostate gland. This so-called dosimetry is important because the radiation must be evenly distributed throughout the prostate gland in order to insure complete eradication of the tumor. Ordinarily, brachytherapy would only be considered in a patient with cancer confined to the prostate gland.
If a patient with prostate cancer is found to have a prostate too large for brachytherapy but is otherwise felt to be a candidate for this form of treatment, brachytherapy can be administered at a reduced dose following a course of conventional external beam radiation. Another option is the administration of androgen (testosterone) blocking medication prior to brachytherapy in order to shrink the prostate gland.
The physicians at Memorial Urology Associates, working in conjunction with an experienced radiotherapist and physicist, have treated over 250 patients as of May, 2005. We have observed no major complications in our series although several patients have had temporary difficulty voiding due to swelling of the prostate.
You may obtain more information by calling our office or sending a request via e-mail.
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