What is Prostate Brachytherapy (Prostate Seed Implantation)?
Prostate Brachytherapy also known as Prostate Seed Implantation is a prostate cancer treatment that involves using small seeds about the size of a grain of rice to treat cancer. These small metal seeds of radioactive iodine or palladium are inserted directly into the gland under anesthesia. Placing the seeds into the prostate gland requires training and a great degree of skill. Board Certification is highly desirable in a Radiation Oncologist who has performed a minimum of 500 cases for the best results. Once the seeds are inserted, they are temporarily radioactive and deliver the radiation to the prostate over several weeks. After losing their radioactivity, the seeds remain in the prostate and are harmless.
Prostate Brachytherapy (Prostate Seed Implantation) is an excellent option for primary initial treatment and for some patients who have recurrent disease following external beam or IMRT radiation treatments.
About The Procedure
Seed implantation is performed as outpatient surgery. The procedure takes about 1 hour to perform. There are several steps that must be done before the procedure.
About a month prior, “Prostate Mapping” is performed by the Radiation Oncologist to determine the exact size and shape of the prostate gland. These images are put into a treatment-planning computer that formulates the “blue print” that will be used in the operating room. The doctor now knows how many seeds are needed and where they are to be placed in the prostate gland.
When the patient arrives for the implantation, he will have a Brachytherapy team consisting of a Radiation Oncologist, Urologist, Medical Physicist, Anesthesiologist, and nurses. After preoperative preparation, anesthesia is given so that the patient is “pain free” during the procedure.
Recovery Time
After the prostate seed implantation (brachytherapy) procedure is complete, the patient may feel some mild discomfort in the bladder and penile area. This is normal. Sometimes a catheter is required to insure proper urinary functions for the next 24 hours after the brachytherapy procedure has been completed. This is removed after a day or two.
Overall, the patient returns to normal activities within the next few days. Sex can be resumed almost immediately with the use of a condom for the first two months.
99.5 % Success
Dr. Cole, has over 30 years of experience as an expert in Prostate Brachytherapy (Prostate Seed Implantation).
His experience and thousands of successful procedures have all contributed to Dr. Cole’s 99.5% success rate.
He uses the latest innovations in prostate cancer seed implantation to adequately target and treat patients.
Read Patient Testimonials.
History
People do not realize that prostate seed implants (brachytherapy), started in the late 1800’s with the discovery of Radium by Madame Curie. The first reported case of Prostate Brachytherapy Cancer Treatment appeared in medical literature shortly thereafter. Technology was limited at that time and the treatment did not become popular. Also, back then, most patients diagnosed with Prostate cancer then had metastatic disease and were not good candidates for local treatment.
mprovements in the treatment of Prostate Cancer drastically changed over the next 100 years. Today, most men diagnosed have very early staged disease with a high likelihood of cure. Much of this success has coincided with the advent of the PSA blood test. Prostate imaging has been improved with transrectal ultrasound imaging. Biopsy techniques have become more precise allowing doctors to find cancer in younger men (40’s, 50’s) where cancer is more likely localized and curable. Radioactive materials used have progressed from Radium 226, to Gold 198, to Iodine 126, and then to Palladium 103 which has greater economy, safety, convenience, and lower side effects.
About a month prior, “Prostate Mapping” is performed by the Radiation Oncologist to determine the exact size and shape of the prostate gland. These images are put into a treatment-planning computer that formulates the “blue print” that will be used in the operating room. The doctor now knows how many seeds are needed and where they are to be placed in the prostate gland.
Prostate Seed Implantation Facts
- Dr. Cole’s Brachytherapy has a 99.5% success rate.
- Brachytherapy is a one day, one hour, outpatient procedure.
- No hospital stay
- No Blood transfusions
- Minimally invasive
- Quickly return to an active lifestyle
- No repeat treatment necessary for most cases
- Low rate of impotence
- Low rate of incontinence
- 20 year proven effectiveness
Over 30 Years of Experience
It is very important to select an expert in the field to minimize down time and get back to doing the things you love. Dr. Cole has over 30 years of experience as a Board Certified Oncologist delivering cutting edge treatments. Speak with Dr. Cole to get facts and details about your procedure.
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