Prostate Brachytherapy
Prostate Seed Implant (prostate LDR brachytherapy)
What is a Prostate Seed Implant?
A prostate seed implant (also known as prostate brachytherapy, LDR brachytherapy
or a “seed implant”) is a 90 minute, outpatient procedure
that is used to cure prostate cancer. This is often the only therapy that
is needed to cure prostate cancer. A Prostate Seed Implant has the advantages
of being effective, cost-effective and allows excellent quality of life
when the treatment is complete.
To schedule an initial consultation to see if you are a good candidate for a Prostate Seed Implant, you or your cancer doctor can call our team at 504.503.5139 and press option 2 to schedule.
Which men benefit from Prostate Seed Implants?
Men who want a cure for localized Gleason 6 and Gleason 7 prostate cancer.
Localized refers to organ-confined disease or cancer that has not spread
outside the prostate.
What do you need to know about Prostate Seed Implants?
A Prostate Seed Implant is an approximately two-hour outpatient procedure.
Most men have a very prompt recovery and go back to normal activity with
little down-time.
How does It work?
A patient who desires to be treatment with a prostate seed implant is taken
to the operating room. While he is asleep, the doctor places usually between
60 to 100 small radioactive seeds into the prostate, each smaller than
a grain of rice. The patient is discharged later that day. Over 90% of
our patients go home on the same day and without a urinary catheter. The
seeds emit radiation therapy over a time period of several weeks to months
(depending on the specific implant), so that the patient is essentially
treated while he is at home. About four weeks later, our patient returns
to the office for CT-based dosimetry, for an evaluation of the seeds.
Case study
This man in his early 70s presented to our practice with NCCN intermediate
favorable risk group prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 7 (3+4).
He considered all his options carefully, and elected to go ahead with
a seed implant.
