What Are the Benefits of Prostate Seed Implantation?
Many men are candidates for prostate seed implants (low dose rate, LDR) as an alternative to external beam radiation therapy or surgery. Sometimes prostate seed implants are used as a “boost” following external beam radiotherapy. This one-time procedure is less invasive than surgery without the inconvenience of daily radiation treatments for several weeks. This form of radiation treatment is also called permanent intersitial brachytherapy in which small radioactive seeds are placed into the prostate gland in the operating room and then release radiation gradually over a period of several months.
Using real-time imaging and treatment planning with a transrectal ultrasound, these radioactive seeds can very accurately be placed to ensure effective treatment. With more than 1000 prostate seed implants performed, we have a great deal of experience with this convenient, minimally invasive approach in the management of prostate cancer.
For the right person, prostate seed implant can offer equally good cancer control as radical prostatectomy or external beam radiation therapy.
Currently, Radiation Oncology Associates performs prostate seed implants at the following locations:
Burlington, Concord, Peabody
