Prostate Seed Implant

Prostate Seed brachytherapy is a minimally invasive procedure requiring no open surgery. Also referred to as interstitial radiation therapy or seed implant therapy, prostate brachytherapy is an effective option for patients with localized (organ-confined) prostate cancer. When performing prostate brachytherapy, the Cancer Treatment Group physicians implant tiny, permanent radioactive seeds (about the size of a grain of rice) into the prostate. The number of seeds and where they are placed is determined by a computer- generated treatment plan that is tailored for each patient. The prostate is targeted with high doses of radiation while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue Small enough so that they will not be felt by the patient, the seeds irradiate the cancer from inside the gland. The seeds remain permanently, but they become inactive over a period of months and no longer give off radiation. Brachytherapy is an outpatient procedure where the patient is placed under anesthesia, and needles containing the seeds are inserted through the skin of the perineum into the prostate. Most patients go home the same day as their treatment and most return to normal activities a few days after the treatment.

Benefits of Prostate Brachytherapy

• requires only minor surgical procedure
• shown to be very effective in treating early prostate cancer
• One day procedurey