What is the difference between the iodine and palladium seeds?
Radioactive palladium releases radiation more rapidly than iodine. Palladium seeds have been used for prostate cancer for about 8 years and iodine seeds have been used for prostate cancer for about 20 years. While the rates and doses of radiation are different for palladium and iodine, the biologic effect is considered to be the same. Palladium is typically chosen for higher-grade cancers and iodine for low to moderate grade cancers. So far, the cure rates with palladium and iodine appear to be about the same.
