Brachytherapy | Prostate Cancer

How is  Brachytherapy used  for Prostate cancer?

• In prostate cancer, Brachytherapy is given using Radioactive 'seed implants'
• 'Seed implants' are  small metallic seeds of the size of rice grains
• These seeds are placed in the tumor using general anesthesia or spinal (epidural) anesthesia
• These seed implants give small doses of Radioactivity
• This is usually done on an out patient basis 
• This effect spreads a few millimeters around the seeds
• It's effect fades away in a years time

seed implants

How is Brachytherapy for Prostate cancer  given ?


Permanent LDR (low dose rate) radiotherapy:

• Given for localized and small tumors, with good prognosis
• Given for early diagnosed tumors
• It gives a good survival rate, as much as Surgery or External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT)
• It has lesser side effects compared to the above mentioned treatments

Temporary HDR (high dose rate) radiotherapy:

• Given for slightly advanced tumors
• Used in combination with EBRT for better results
• This is called 'boost-therapy'
• This reduces the time of EBRT treatment overall

prostate brachytherapy

What are the side effects of brachytherapy for Prostate cancer?

• painful urination
• erectile dysfunction
• general brachytherapy side effects have been discussed in Brachytherapy : procedure and side effects

prostate cancer

Procedure: refer to brachytherapy: step-wise procedure

Results and Follow-up:
PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen levels are tested in the blood work.


Also read
What is brachytherapy?
Brachytherapy step-wise procedure
What are the side effects of Radiation Therapy?
What is Radiation Therapy?
An introduction to radiation Oncology.