Because cancer often affects organs and other essential structures, it is important for radiation treatment to be tightly focused on tumors to minimize serious side effects.

Low-dose brachytherapy ensures the maximum radiation dose is given to cancerous tissues, while minimizing exposure to the surrounding healthy tissue. In order to attack the tumor from inside the body, implants are used that can help slow the growth of a tumor. Brachytherapy can also help relieve pain and other symptoms caused by the tumor.

How does low-dose brachytherapy work?

In low-dose brachytherapy, special applicators (catheters or soft tubes) are placed near the site of the tumor. Once the catheters are in place, nonradioactive wires are put into the catheters. These wires keep the catheters open and allow them to be seen on an X-ray after surgery. The catheters do not contain any radioactive sources at the time of surgery. The radioactive sources will be placed (or loaded) several hours or days after surgery in your hospital room. When loading is done in this manner, it is called “after loading.”

Safety precautions

Certain safety precautions must be followed by you, your visitors and hospital staff while your radioactive implants are in place. These precautions are necessary to ensure as little radiation exposure as possible. Your nurse or physician will provide additional safety information for you and your visitors.

Low-Dose-Rate (LDR) Brachytherapy and Prostate Seed Implant

LDR brachytherapy involves implanting tiny radioactive seeds directly into or near a tumor. In prostate cancer, these seeds slowly release radiation over several months and remain permanently in the body without significant risk to others.

Prostate Seed Implantation

Prostate seed brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy in which radioactive metallic seeds—smaller than a grain of rice—are permanently placed inside the prostate gland. This therapy delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the prostate gland and sometimes to the seminal vesicles.

The seeds give off radiation slowly over several months and, within one year, their radiation completely decays. The seeds can remain safely in place for the rest of a man’s life.

Brachytherapy is given with external radiation or by itself, depending on the stage of cancer.

How is prostate seed implantation done?

Brachytherapy works more effectively on small–and moderately–sized prostate glands.

Men with enlarged prostates often undergo a three to six month course of hormone therapy to shrink the prostate prior to implantation. A urologist and radiation oncologist work together to perform the implant.

Prior to implant surgery, a urologist will perform a transrectal ultrasound. This imaging test uses sound waves to create pictures of a man’s prostate gland. Following the ultrasound, a radiation oncologist will perform the brachytherapy.

Next step: Schedule a consultation to discuss whether prostate seed implantation or another LDR approach is right for you.

To learn more, visit radiation oncology.