Prostate Cancer Seed Implants (Brachytherapy)

OVERVIEW

21st Century Oncology is actively involved in radioactive seed implantation for prostate cancer, and is currently screening candidates. This procedure is performed in selected patients by a team of physicians and staff with nearly a decade of experience in prostate brachytherapy. The technique was first developed as a freehand procedure in the 1970s but was abandoned because of problems with erratic seed placement. Starting in 1983, with the improved accuracy of seed placement based on use of the transrectal ultrasound probe, a resurgence in prostate implantation occurred. This landmark change paved the way for the immense popularity that this technique enjoys today.

There Are Several Key Advantages To Prostate Brachytherapy:

It is a convenient outpatient procedure. The patient generally can resume normal daily activities quickly.
Radioactive seeds are inserted directly into the prostate, minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding tissues while permitting an escalation of the dose concentrated in the area of the prostate cancer.
It can be done alone or in conjunction with Three-Dimensional Conformal External Beam Radiotherapy.
10-year results show that the vast majority of patients remain disease-free, making it an attractive alternative to both radical surgery and full-course external beam radiotherapy.
Incontinence of urine occurs in only a tiny subset of patients, and impotence rates are less than with the other curative therapies.