Brachytherapy is a treatment option for prostate cancer patients

With David Sandock, MD, Urologist at Columbia St. Mary’s

Posted: Sept. 1, 2007

Not all prostate cancer patients are able to, or wish to, undergo a surgical procedure. There are some patients who, for a variety of reasons, are not good surgical candidates. This may be due to patient preference alone or having medical issues including heart or lung conditions that make surgery more risky. For these patients, radiation therapy is an excellent treatment option.

Brachytherapy is a commonly used method of radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer and involves putting tiny, titanium pellets filled with radioactive material into the prostate. We are able to do this without a surgical incision while the patient is asleep. Often, the patient is able to go home the same day as the procedure. This method delivers a high dose of radioactivity to the prostate and a very low dose to the surrounding tissues. This maximizes treatment effectiveness and minimizes side effects.

There are two types of brachytherapy: permanent seed implant (PSI) and temporary high dose. The most common type used today is the PSI. In this type of implant, the titanium capsules stay inside the patient and the radiation gradually decreases over time.

Complications from brachytherapy may include urinary symptoms and erectile dysfunction. The most common side effects are urinary, such as burning, frequent urination or having to go more urgently or quickly. These symptoms can often be effectively treated with medication and are generally resolved over time. There is also a risk of erectile dysfunction with Brachytherapy. This increases if treatment is combined with external radiation or hormonal therapy.

As with all treatments for prostate cancer, patients treated with brachytherapy are followed throughout the rest of their lives. Brachytherapy is an excellent option for many men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer.

David Sandock, M.D.
Urologist
Columbia St. Mary's
414-326-1745

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