Prostate Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is an internal form of radiation therapy, in which radioactive seeds are implanted near the site of the tumor. Types of brachytherapy:

• Low-dose rate brachytherapy is the most common type of treatment. The seeds stay inside your prostate and put out a small amount of radiation for several months. You go about your normal routine with the seeds in place.
• High-dose rate brachytherapy lasts about 30 minutes. Your doctor inserts the radioactive material into the prostate. The doctor may use a computerized robot to do this.

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. This is the area between the anus and scrotum.

Anesthesia: With spinal anesthesia, you will be drowsy but awake, and numb below the waist. With general anesthesia, you will be asleep and pain free.