Why do some men receive external radiation in addition to seed implants?
If the cancer extends or penetrates through the prostatic capsule, a short course of external beam radiation encompassing the prostate and tissue around the prostate must be administered. This insures that any microscopic prostate cancer cells adjacent to the gland are encompassed by the radiation prior to the prostate seed implant. The seed implant effectively concentrates the radiation to the cancer cells in the prostate gland. The seed implant will also kill some cells immediately outside the gland, but the seed implant is a local treatment. External radiation is given for assurance that all the cells around the prostate are treated. If the biplane ultrasound shows no evidence of the prostate cancer outside the prostate (the capsule of the prostate is intact and not distorted) then there is no need to go through a course of external radiation. If it is determined that a short course of radiation is required then you can receive the radiation in Scottsdale or Glendale, Arizona, or ca
