Prostate Seed Implant
The doctors in Radiation
Oncology Consultants have
extensive experience in permanent
prostate seed implants having
performed over 1200 of these
procedures in the last 8 years.
This is a one hour outpatient
procedure that delivers the
radiation directly to the
cancer in the prostate by
inserting tiny radioactive
seeds. These seeds act like
batteries releasing their
energy over time to kill the
cancer.
Advantages of seed implants
include the convenience of
a one day outpatient procedure,
the ability to conform or
confine the radiation dose
to the prostate plus margin,
excellent long term cure rates
and a low risk of side effects.
Most common side effects
include temporary discomfort
between the legs where the
seeds are inserted, changes
in urination including frequency
and urgency (a small percentage
of men may require a temporary
urinary catheter after treatment),
and possible effect on ability
to have erections. Most men
are back to work and doing
their normal activities within
one or two days after the
procedure.
The best candidates for seed
implants are those men whose
cancers have been caught early
where the cancer is likely
to be confined to the prostate.
A man also needs to be healthy
enough to undergo a short
general or spinal anesthesia.
The prostate needs to be a
certain size (not too large)
for the doctors to perform
a good, safe implant and this
is determined by an ultrasound
test called a volume study.
Pictures of the prostate from
this study are used to create
a 3 dimensional customized
radiation treatment plan.
Some patients with more advanced
cancers may have external
beam radiation and hormones
in addition to a seed implant.
Your doctors can determine
what types of treatment are
most appropriate for you.
Patients are followed closely
to make sure they are recovering
well from the procedure and
to monitor their cancer with
frequent PSA's.
