What is Brachytherapy?

Brachytherapy, also called internal radiation, involves placing radioactive material close to or inside the cancer. A higher dose of radiation can be given to a smaller area of the body compared with external radiation treatments. By minimizing the radiation given to surrounding normal tissues, side effects are reduced.

What is a Seed Implant?

A Seed Implant or Prostate Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive seeds, about the size of a grain of rice, in the prostate and leaving them there permanently. Over several months, the radiation in the seeds diminishes to nothing. The seeds then remain in the body, with no lasting effect.

How is a Seed Implant Done?

Seed implants are done in an operating room under a general anesthetic as an outpatient procedure. Ultrasound is used to assist the physician in positioning needles in the prostate. These needles are pre-loaded with the radioactive seeds. The needles are removed, leaving radioactive seeds behind. A CT Scan will be done one month after the implant to verify seed placement.

The Holzer Center for Cancer Care is located at 170 Jackson Pike in Gallipolis, Ohio 45631

1.800.821.3860 or 1.740.446.5474