Thursday, February 5, 2009

When to get Brachytherapy Prostate Treatment

By Gerome Plunk

Radioactive Seed Implants is another name for Brachytherapy Prostate treatment. It comes in 2 types, permanent seed low dosage rate( LDR ) implantation and high dosage rate ( HDR ) temporary implantation.

In the first case, about 100 seeds are injected into the prostate gland and over some weeks give off radiation to the cancer cells. In high dose radiation several small removable tubes are placed in the gland through which radiation treatment can be given as required.

What the operation entails

This in a non-surgical operation done under anesthesia that takes 1 to 2 hours It is usually out-patient and the patient will resume normal activities within a few days.

The doctor will place the seeds precisely in the gland so that they give off radiation exactly where it is required.

The implants remain in the prostate and give off radiation for the necessary period usually not exceeding e few months. In that way they kill off the cancer cells.

The seeds are small, and once in place the patient will not feel them.

Who is brachytherapy prostate for?

This is treatment that is most effective for patients whose tumors are still within the prostate gland. It is also the ideal treatment for early stages of prostate cancer.

Thorough prostate cancer psa testing and Digital Rectal Exam should be carried out to ensure that the cancer is localized. General good health is another consideration and the patient should not be obese.

Detailed consultation with and testing by your doctor is the most important factor in deciding whether brachytherapy prostate is the treatment for your particular case.

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