When to get Brachytherapy Prostate Treatment
Also known as Radioactive Seed Implant, Brachytherapy Prostate Treatment involves either temporary high dosage rate seed implantation or the permanent low dose seed implantation.
In permanent implantation, radioactive seeds are injected into the prostate gland and over a period of several weeks they release low doses of radiation to the tumor. In temporary implantation,small removable catheters are placed in the gland through which high doses of radiation can be administered by the doctor to the cancer cells as required.
What the operation entails
This in a non-surgical operation done under anesthesia that takes 1 to 2 hours It is usually out-patient and the patient will resume normal activities within a few days.
The placement of seeds in brachytherapy prostate treatment is very accurate and because of this precision the doctor can deliver radiation exactly where it is required for maximum effectiveness.
The seeds remain in the prostate and emit localized radiation for a period of time, usually not more than a few months and so destroy the cancer cells.
The size of the seeds is small and the patient will not feel them once in place.
Who should get brachytherapy prostate treatment?
This is treatment that is most effective for patients whose tumors are still within the prostate gland. It is also the ideal treatment for early stages of prostate cancer.
Thorough screening tests are necessary to ensure that the patient is also in good health and that the tumor has not spread outside of the gland.
The bottom line for brachytherapy prostate treatment is that the patient discuss in great detail with his doctor before deciding whether this is the right method for him.
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