Now patients with prostate cancer have access to new treatment with less side effects. With the use of ultrasound, tiny radioactive seeds are permanently implanted directly into the prostate gland where the cancer is located. This procedure takes about 1 1/2 hours and the patient resumes normal activity in 48 hours. The success rate of PROSTATE BRACHYTHERAPY compares well with surgery and external beam radiation. The treatment also has less side effects since there is very low incidence of incontinence and impotency.

• The procedure is done at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, Illinois, a Rush University Medical Center system hospital by Urologists Joel Slutsky, M.D., E. Kent Frye, M.D., and radiation oncologist Salwa Assad, M.D.
• The radioactive seeds can deliver two to three times more radiation into the prostate directly thus minimizing damage to adjacent tissues.
• Incontinence rates are very low.
• Impotence occurs in fewer than 15% of patients under 70 years of age.
• The treatment cost is lower than surgery or conventional radiation.

Radioactive seed implant therapy is not recommended for every case of prostate cancer. Considerations of treatment involve, GLEASON score, stage of the disease, PSA level, and the patients general health.

PRIOR TO IMPLANT

A measurement of your prostate will be made prior to the procedure, a biopsy also may have to be performed if it was not done. Some patients will require hormone therapy before the implant, up to 3 months prior to implant, in order to shrink the prostate thus making it easier for implantation. High risk patients with higher gleason scores may also be placed on hormone therapy before the implant is actually done.

IMPLANT DAY

The patient arrives at the Medical Center two hours before and is given an enema. The anesthesiologist determines the type of anesthetic to be used.

Ultrasound imaging the radioactive seeds, either Iodine 125 or Palladium 103 are implanted transcutaneous beneath the scrotal area, through the skin and directly into the prostate gland.

Follow up care will be with the urologists and the radiation oncologist.

Patient returns to normal activity in 2 days.

Urological Surgeons of Illinois WELCOMES QUESTIONS. To find out if you may be a candidate for this therapy, call 1.815.937.4006.

Urological Surgeons of Illinois, LTD.