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Seed Therapy for Prostrate Cancer

Prostate cancer occurs when cancer cells grow in the walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid in males. Some types of cancer can be very slow growing, but others can spread very rapidly. There are a number of treatments to choose from in treating prostate cancer. Which type of treatment will best suit the situation is a decision between doctor and patient. Radioactive seed therapy is one option that has good results with a low rate of complications.

  1. What is Radioactive Seed Therapy?

    • Radioactive seed therapy (also known as brachytherapy) is a method by which small uniform radioactive seeds are implanted into the prostate gland that will emit radiation to kill cancer cells over a period of months. It contains a higher dose of radiation than a direct electron beam therapy and works for a longer length of time.

    How Radioactive Seed Therapy is Done

    • In this procedure, 40-100 rice-sized radioactive 'seeds' are placed into the prostate gland using ultrasound-guided needles. The prostate is accessed through the perineum---the area between the penis and the anus and is done under general anesthesia. It takes between one to two hours. Most men leave the hospital the same day, and resume normal activities within days. The seeds remain in the prostate for a number of months.

    Selecting Candidates for Radioactive Seed Therapy

    • Radioactive seed therapy is often chosen for older men whose health requires a minimally invasive procedure with a low rate of complications. Younger men with very small prostate tumors may also have the best effect with this type of therapy.

    Effectiveness of Radioactive Seed Therapy

    • A 12-year study done by the Urology Health Center in Greater Tampa between 1992-2004 has shown that among 1380 organ-confined cancer patients, the radioactive seed therapy had a 88 percent cure rate among high-risk cases compared to 43 percent cure rate for surgery. Low-risk patients had a 99 percent cure rate, over 97 percent rate for surgery.

    The Risks of Radioactive Seed Therapy

    • Radioactive seed therapy can cause frequent or painful urination, or slow stream. Erectile dysfunction can occur from seed therapy. Loose stool or other rectal symptoms can also occur with radioactive seed therapy, though less severe than with electron beam radiation. It is unlikely that this kind of radiation (iodine and palladium seeds) will emit from you body, but some doctors recommend staying at least six feet away from children or pregnant women as an extra precaution. All radiation within the pellets are usually exhausted within a year.

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