Brachytherapy is a procedure to implant radioactive "seeds" into the prostate gland to kill prostate cancer cells. Implants may be short-term or permanent. They may give off high or low amounts of radiation.

Brachytherapy takes 30 minutes or more, depending on the type of therapy you have. Before the procedure, you will be given medicine so that you do not feel pain. You may receive:

• A sedative to make you drowsy and numbing medicine on your perineum (the area between your anus and rectum).
• Spinal anesthesia. You will be drowsy but awake, and numb below your waist.
• General anesthesia. You will be asleep and pain free.

After you receive anesthesia:

• Your doctor will place an ultrasound probe into your rectum to see the area. The probe is like a camera connected to a video monitor in the room. Your doctor might also place a Foley catheter (tube) in your bladder to drain urine.
• Your doctor will use ultrasound or a CT scan to place the “pellets” that deliver radiation into your prostate. The pellets will be placed with needles or special applicators through your perineum.
• Placing the pellets may hurt a little.

Types of brachytherapy

• Low-dose brachytherapy is the most common type of treatment. The pellets stay inside your prostate and emit a small amount of radiation for several months. You go about your normal routine with the pellets in place.
• High-dose brachytherapy lasts about 30 minutes. Your doctor will insert the radioactive material into the prostate. The doctor may use a computerized robot. The radioactive material is removed after treatment.

Brachytherapy is often used for men with smaller prostate cancer that is found early and is slow-growing. Brachytherapy has fewer complications and side effects than standard radiation therapy. You will also need fewer visits with the doctor.

See also: Radical prostatectomy