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What Is Seed Implanting for Prostate Cancer?

Seed implanting, or brachytherapy, is the implantation of tiny radiative seeds directly into the cancerous tissue of the prostate gland. It is one of the most popular treatment options for prostate cancer, but, as with all therapies, the patient should be fully informed of the advantages and risks before making a treatment decision.

  1. Procedure Facts

    • A combination of antibiotics and an anesthesia will be administered. The procedure is performed with the patient on his back, knees in stirrups. Ultrasound will commonly guide the permanent 50 to 80 radioactive iodine or palladium seed implants which are inserted with needles. You may be requested to urinate through a strainer for a few days in case any seeds pass.

    Advantages of Brachytherapy

    • Brachytherapy is a minimally invasive procedure. Unlike external beam radiation therapy, which requires a five day a week, six to nine week treatment period, brachytherapy is an outpatient procedure with a quick recovery time.

    Urinary Risks

    • Urinary risks associated with brachytherapy include lower urinary tract irritation, pain, inflammation, burning, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, painful urination and waking several times at night to urinate.

    Bowel Function Considerations

    • Brachytherapy may cause rectal irritation, pain, burning, frequency and urgency of bowel movements.

    Disadvantages

    • Men with high-grade cancers are not good candidates for brachytherapy, neither are men who work or live with children or the elderly as the therapy produces patients who are virtually radioactive. Sexual side effects may include erectile dysfunction and possible pubic hair loss. Radiation mutates sperm cells, so fathering a child after brachytherapy is highly unlikely.

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