Radiation Seeds for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer patients face a variety of treatment options, and one of these is radiation seed implantation. Radiation seeds are tiny pellets of radioactive material that the physician places inside the prostate gland to deliver radiation directly to the tumor. This practice, which is also called brachytherapy or interstitial radiation therapy, works effectively on slow growing, early stage prostate cancer cases.

Types

• Doctors have two types of radiation seed therapy to consider when treating a patient. The first is permanent or low dose brachytherapy. This procedure requires the permanent placement of up to 100 seeds made of iodine-125 or palladium-103 into the prostate gland. The seeds emit radiation over a short distance, effectively targeting the tumor. Over time the seeds lose their radioactive properties but remain in the body permanently. Temporary or high dose brachytherapy involves larger seeds of iridium-192 or cesium-137. The seeds are placed into the prostate gland using catheters, left there for five to 15 minutes, and then removed.

Procedure

• Both types of seed implantation are done under anesthesia, either spinal or general depending on the patient's needs. The seeds are placed into the body using needles inserted through the perineum, the area between the scrotum and anus. In the case of high dose brachytherapy, a catheter is also used. Patients receiving permanent seeds usually stay in the hospital overnight, and patients receiving temporary seeds will stay in the hospital until all rounds of treatment are delivered, which the American Cancer Society indicates takes a couple of days. Doctors use ultrasound imaging, CT scans or MRI images to guide the placement of the seeds.

Advantages

• Advantages of brachytherapy over other prostate cancer treatment options include the fact that the radiation is localized within the prostate gland. This can spare many of the surrounding organs, lowering the risk of permanent damage to the urethra and nerves of the male reproductive system. Radiation seed implantation is also a non-surgical treatment option, which lowers the risk of infection and blood loss. Cancer Treatment Centers of America indicates that this therapy is quicker and more effective than alternative radiation treatment delivery devices, offering precise dosing and shorter recovery times.

Risks

• Brachytherapy is not without its risks. According to the American Cancer Society, less than 5 percent of all patients have significant problems with their bowels after receiving radiation seeds for prostate cancer. Frequent urination caused by irritation to the urethra occurs in a third of all brachytherapy patients. Brachytherapy may increase a man's risk of developing impotence, but studies are not yet clear on whether or not this is true. In rare cases the seeds may migrate out of the prostate gland, so follow your doctor's advice about care after the procedure.

Limitations

• While seed implantation therapy can be effective at treating prostate cancer, this treatment option does not work for all patients. First, doctors typically only prescribe this treatment to men who have early stage, slow-growing tumors. Men who have had a TURP procedure or a history of urinary problems have a higher risk of urinary side effects. Those with large prostate glands may not receive as much benefit from the therapy. Brachytehrapy cannot be repeated if unsuccessful.