What is a Prostate Seed Implant (Brachytherapy)?
Radiation therapy is a treatment for cancer that uses high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy). Prostate seed brachytherapy implants are a type of internal radiation therapy used to treat prostate cancer. Prostate seed implant therapy is accurately planned so that specific parts of the prostate receive more direct radiation. At the same time, the organs near the prostate gland (bladder and rectum) receive much lower doses of radiation. A prostate seed implant procedure is done in the operating room under anesthesia. During this procedure, the doctor places about 20-30 hollow needles into the prostate gland. This is generally done by the Radiation Oncologist and Urologist. On average, each needle holds 2-6 radioactive seeds such that each patient will be implanted with 60-150 metallic seeds. The needles are guided through the skin directly into the prostate
