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Side Effects of LDR Brachytherapy

LDR brachytherapy, or low dose rate brachytherapy, is a treatment for cancer. Since it involves the implantation of radioactive particles about the size of a grain of rice, it is sometimes referred to as "seed implantation." The so-called "brachytherapy seeds" are placed directly within or in close proximity to tumor sites, where they deliver radiation to cancer cells without affecting neighboring tissue. While effective, there are some potential side effects of LDR brachytherapy.

  1. Urinary Dysfunction

    • One of the most common applications of LDR brachytherapy is the treatment of localized prostate cancer, meaning tumors that are contained within the prostate gland. According to Dr. J. Cook and fellow researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, some men undergoing this treatment may experience either difficulty passing urine or urinary incontinence. However, as the research team noted in the Nov. 12, 2008, issue of The Journal of Urology, only 1 to 2 percent of the 484 men they observed in a cohort follow-up study between 1999 and 2005 experienced these effects. In addition, urinary problems were reported primarily within the first 6 months following LDR brachytherapy, with a marked improvement after that.

    Pelvic Complications

    • Another application of LDR brachytherapy is the treatment of early stage cervical cancer. On occasion, complications involving the bladder, vagina, small bowel and peripheral nerves are reported. In a 2009 assessment study conducted by French researchers involving 39 women, 13 experienced such complications, with the majority of complaints being concerned with the bladder. From these findings, the research team concluded that the rate of pelvic or abdominal failures in women receiving LDR brachytherapy to treat early stage cervical cancer is relatively low. In contrast, the team noted that the rate of 2- and 4-year survival without relapse was 94 and 91 percent, respectively.

    Erectile Dysfunction

    • Many prostate cancer treatments carry the risk of experiencing difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. However, according to the Prostate Brachytherapy Advisory Group, erectile dysfunction or impotence after LDR brachytherapy is far less common, particularly in men younger than 60 who were sexually active before treatment. In fact, the group asserts that erectile dysfunction only impacts between 10 and 30 percent of these patients, compared with 30 to 60 percent of men undergoing other treatments for prostate cancer.

    Limited Physical Contact

    • Since the "seeds" begin to release radiation after implantation, the patient should avoid close or prolonged contact with young children and pregnant women for 2 months following LDR brachytherapy. In addition, sexual activity should be avoided for several weeks.

    Other Effects

    • Trace amounts of blood may appear in the semen or urine following the first few months after treatment.

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