Radiation Pellets for Treatment of Prostate Cancer

One of the more innovative treatments for prostate cancer, a disease of the male prostate gland, is radioactive seed implant therapy. The goal of this treatment is to eradicate the disease by concentrating the radioactive pellets as close to the cancer as possible.

Differences

• This treatment differs from external beam radiation therapy by attacking the cancer with a higher dose of radiation and doing so over a longer time frame. External beam radiation comes from an outside source and although often effective, it can precipitate scarring.

Size

• The procedure involves a surgeon implanting as many as 100 tiny radioactive "seeds," no larger than a grain of rice, into the prostate gland while the patient is under anesthesia. The operation, during which the surgeon employs needles guided by ultrasound to place the pellets, lasts between one and two hours.

Preparation

• This type of treatment works best when the prostate gland is small or of medium size, so in some instances hormone therapy designed to shrink the gland is necessary for months prior.

Time Frame

• The radioactive seeds remain in the patient and eventually will stop emitting the radiation, usually within one calendar year of their insertion. However, it is prudent for someone that has this therapy to stay at least 6 feet from expecting mothers and children for a number of months afterward.

Side Effects

• Slow, painful urination, sexual dysfunction, loose stools and pain during a bowel movement are some of the potential side effects of radioactive seed implant therapy.