Radioactive seed implant therapy (brachytherapy) has changed the way prostate cancer patients view their diagnosis. In the past, prostate cancer was treated with radical surgery to remove the prostate, external beam radiation or “watchful waiting.” Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a leader in this effective form of prostate cancer treatment.
Seed implant therapy is seen as a huge advancement in the treatment of prostate cancer for a few reasons. The need for major surgery is eliminated with ultrasound imaging that allows pinpoint placement of 80 to 120 seeds inside the prostate. The implantation process takes one to two hours and is usually performed on an outpatient basis, meaning almost all patients resume normal activities within 48 hours of the procedure. Also, in most cases, there are no long-term side effects.
Radioactive prostate seed implant therapy is not effective for all prostate cancer patients. It depends on the stage of the cancer, the size of the prostate and the physical condition of the patient. The radiation gradually wears off (between six months to a year after implantation) and the seeds safely remain in the patient’s body, made compatible with body tissue to prevent the seeds from causing harm. The effectiveness of prostate seed implant therapy is measured by blood tests taken in six months intervals, which reveal the patient’s prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level.
In-depth patient information about prostate seed implants can be found in the prostate seed implant patient brochure which answers most frequently asked questions about this procedure.