How Can Prostate Cancer Be Treated With Brachytherapy?

Radiation therapy for prostate cancer is one of the more common alternatives to a radical prostate removal. It involves sending a beam of radiation directly into the prostate gland to kill cancerous cells and hopefully not affect the surrounding normal tissue. However there is a less drastic alternative for localized cancer confined only to the prostate gland. Known as prostate cancer brachytherapy, this treatment consists of injecting small, rice-sized grains of radioactive material, usually iodine or palladium, directly into the prostate gland. This article will examine the brachytherapy procedure, its details, and possible side effects.

The seeds that are used in brachytherapy are about the size of a grain of rice and consist of either iodine or palladium. Both of these are radioactive materials which slowly decrease in radioactivity over 3 to 6 months. These are positioned inside the prostate gland to irradiate the cancerous cells. However, to know exactly where to place them, some preparation work must be done first.

The patient will first be given an enema, and then under general anesthetic be given an ultrasound. The ultrasound is used to take a "snapshot" of the prostate gland so positioning can be planned before the treatment is actually performed. Once the planning is completed, the injection can be done safely.

Injection is via a long, fine needle. The seeds are inserted through the piece of skin between the testicles and the anus, known as the perineum. Once placed inside the prostate gland, the radioactivity goes to work. It will remain active for several weeks, then slowly die down.

After the treatment, there are a few side effects that may develop. The most common is pain the perineum directly attributable to the needle insertion. Some men feel a dull ache in this area for several days. This can be easily managed through simply non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, and the knowledge that it will heal quickly. After a few weeks, side effects from the radiation itself may present themselves. These are usually urinary problems, such as a weak stream and a burning sensation upon urination. These will generally subside over time. There can also be as much as a 50% chance of impotence, which is high, but not as high as with radical prostate removal surgery.

Prostate brachytherapy can be seen as a very viable alternative to the more drastic prostate cancer treatments that can take a long time to heal from. Surgery can mean weeks of recuperation, and traditional beam radiation therapy can mean severe side effects and possible damage to surrounding tissues. Cancer that is contained within the prostate gland does not always need to be treated with such life-altering consequences, and brachytherapy is a possible answer to that need.

James Culp is a prostate cancer survivor and runs a free newsletter tracking the latest developments in disease of the prostate as well as advances in prostate cancer treatment. His newsletter can be subscribed to at http://www.prostaide.org

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