Brachytherapy Problems

Brachytherapy is a treatment method for certain cancers. The procedure involves inserting tiny seed-like devices into the body at the cancer site. Once implanted, the seeds provide internal radiation. The devices can be used short-term or long-term, depending on the situation. According to the American Brachytherapy Society, the treatment has been used for many types of cancer including breast cancer, cervical cancer and lung cancer. However, its use for cancers other then prostate cancer is still experimental.

Soreness and Swelling

• Soreness, swelling and bruising generally occur at the incision site immediately after the procedure has been completed. The American Brachytherapy Society states that these problems generally dissipate after several days. Doctors generally prescribe NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or other pain killers.

Bleeding and Problems Urinating

• Bleeding during urination and burning in the scrotum are two problems that occur when brachytherapy is used as a prostate cancer treatment. The American Brachytherapy Society suggests these problems will also dissipate within a few days. If bleeding is heavy or contains blood clots, you should contact your doctor immediately as this can indicate an adverse reaction that requires medical treatment.

  A few weeks after the surgery, you may experience an uncomfortable feeling while urinating as a result of the radiation from the seeds. The American Brachytherapy Society indicates that this problem will also dissipate within a few days as well, as the seeds lose their radioactive potency.

Minor Problems

• Rectal bleeding, seed migration and temporary erectile dysfunction are other potential problems that result from using brachytherapy to treat prostate cancer. Radiation Medical Group Inc. reports that rectal bleeding is rare and responds to mild treatment or clears up on its own. Seed migration occurs when the radioactive seeds travel to the lungs, but Radiation Medical Group says this problem is also rare and causes no adverse affects. Finally, temporary erectile dysfunction is more likely to occur in older men, or men who smoke, suffer from diabetes or have a history of erectile dysfunction.

Severe Problems

• Severe potential problems that result from brachytherapy in some cases include permanent impotence and incompetence. Radiation Medical Group suggests this permanent side effect happens in approximately 1 percent of patients. Permanent incontinence is often caused by urethral stricture, which occurs when surgical scarring blocks the urethral tube, making it difficult for urine to pass

  Erectile dysfunction treatments can usually combat the problem of impotence effectively, and surgery can correct permanent incontinence.

Catastrophic Side Effects

• A urethral to rectal fistula is a catastrophic problem that occurs in one out of every 500 patients, according to Radiation Medical Group. This problem occurs when a tear or hole forms as a result of the brachytherapy seeds that spans the urethra to the rectal opening. The tear may be irreparable and you may have to wear a colostomy bag (used to divert stool) or ileostomy bag (used to divert urine) for the rest of your life.

  Finally, according to Radiation Medical Group, in approximately one out of every 100,000 patients, the seeds migrate to the heart and case death.