The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system that is located just behind the penis and makes the fluid part of semen. Sometimes cells within the prostate can divide in an uncontrollable way, leading to prostate cancer. Prostate cancer can be treated using seed radiation treatment, also known as brachytherapy.
Identification
Radiation treatment attacks the prostate cancer cells with high energy X-ray beams, which cause the cancer cells to die. The radiation damages the DNA of the cancer cells.
Procedure
With seed radiation treatment, the patient is put to sleep using anesthesia. Then a surgeon implants a small piece of radioactive material near the cancer.
Types
Seed radiation therapy can be either "low-dose," in which the radioactive seed is left in for several days, or "high-dose," in which the seed is implanted only for a short period of time.
Side Effects
Brachytherapy can cause rectal irritation, urinary problems (such as an inability to empty the bladder) and impotence.
Benefits
Although exact statistics depend on the patient and the type of prostate cancer, most men who receive this form of radiation treatment can be cancer-free for many years, according to MedlinePlus.
