The Disadvantages of Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy used in the treatment of some forms of cancer. Minute radiation-emitting seeds are surgically introduced into the diseased part and give out radiation from within the body. There is an option of permanent or temporary forms. With temporary brachytherapy, the pellets lose their radiation. Brachytherapy has many disadvantageous side effects, which can affect various parts of your life.

Physical Manifestations

• Immediately after the procedure you might experience an uncomfortable burning sensation. This is especially true in men with prostrate cancer. This sensation may continue for up to three months, especially when you urinate. Frequent urination and, in rare cases, incontinence can manifest. Sometimes this can be corrected, but it is not always possible. There is also the chance of brachytherapy recipients suffering from diarrhea as well as pain in the rectum. In extreme cases, patients can develop proctitis--an inflammation of the lower rectal region.

Medical Implications

• Brachytherapy is not a form of therapy that can be used for aggressive tumors. This is simply because the radiation will not be strong enough. Also, with this procedure, there is a minor chance of the radiation seed wandering from the intended spot and damaging healthy tissue.

  Brachytherapy does not involve the removal of the diseased part of the body and there is the chance that the disease will spread. Also, there is no way of knowing whether the cancer is spreading or is localized in nature. If brachytherapy fails, surgery is ruled out as an option for a cure, so weigh your treatment options before deciding on brachytherapy.

  Brachytherapy has to be administered under spinal or general anesthesia, and these procedures come with side effects of their own.

Social Life

• Once you have had brachytherapy, chances are you might have a diminished interest in sex. Men may suffer from erectile dysfunction. However, these are temporary symptoms and will fade with time. Immediately after the insertion of the seeds, you will be required to stay away from children as well as anyone who may be pregnant. This is to prevent any radiation from affecting them. Incontinence is a possible side effect and it can be embarrassing when in public. There is also a chance that the treatment will cause impotency in men.

Additional Information

• Anyone considering brachytherapy should know that not all individuals are considered eligible candidates. As of 2010 it is primarily used for individuals with prostate cancer, and even then the chance of being selected for brachytherapy depends partly on the stage of your illness. A prostate cancer patient’s Gleason score is one of the deciding factors. The procedure is not performed on anyone with a Gleason score higher than six.