Brachytherapy (Seed Implantation)

Relatively faster, effective, and more affordable procedure to treat prostate cancer...

PROSTATE BRACHYTHERAPY

another first from UCPI

From the leader in no-surgery stone removal, UCPI introduces the fastest growing, non-surgical treatment for early stage prostate cancer. This state-of-the-art procedure is a form of radiation therapy in which radioactive pellets or seeds are permanently implanted into the prostate to deliver radiation energy directly to the tumor without harming other normal tissues and organs.

Brachytherapy is not just as good as surgery for prostate cancer. It might even be better...

Your Urologist will help you seek the best treatment options for your prostate cancer. A wide array of treatment modalities are available for your disposal, including:

• Brachytherapy (Seeds Implantation) low dose radiation
• Surgery (Radical Prostatectomy/Robotic Surgery)
• IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy)
• Cryotherapy

With the help of your Urologist, one of the first steps is to determine if you are part of the Low Risk Group, the Intermediate Risk Group, or the High Risk Group. Your treatment options will then be based from there.

Pre Planning

Actual Implantation

X-Ray Post Brachytherapy to check if seeds are in place

This therapy results in:

Fast, safe and effective treatment

Rapid recovery time

Less complications and side effect

Lower costs

No sexual restrictions

Preparations Before The Procedure

• No smoking 24 hours before the procedure
• No driving 24 hours after the procedure
• Take the Anti-Hypertensive medications with 2 tablespoons of water
• Don`t take Anti-Diabetes medications once fasting starts
• No Aspirin, anti-coagulant medicines 1 week before the procedure

What To Expect After The Procedure

1. General radiation safety precautions are not required except in the cases of children, pregnant women and your spouse.

2. For children, limit the amount of time they can sit on your lap. This should be less than 4 minutes/day during the first 4 months following the implant and less than 60 minutes/day during the 9th through 12th months following the implant.

3. For pregnant women, keep a distance of more than 3 feet. At this distance, there is no limit to be around them.

4. For your spouse, refrain from having sex for 2 weeks following your implant. You may then resume normal sex activity after this period, providing the use of condom for two weeks.

5. You may continue your daily activities, sleep in the same bed with no special arrangements necessary.

6. The implanted seeds are sealed in a titanium casing; there are no contamination problems. Your breath, sweat and body fluids do not contain any radioactivity and will not contaminate anybody. Your linens, clothing, dishes and toilet facilities may be cleaned and used by others without any special precautions.

7. Since the radioactive seeds are implanted in the prostate, it is possible for one or more seeds to be dislodged into the urethra and pass in the urine. The seeds appearances are metallic and shiny. You need to strain your urine for one week to see if any seed passes in your urine. If you find a seed, pick it up with a pair of tweezers, NEVER with your fingers. Put in to your toilet bowl and then flush down and drain twice. Immediately, notify your Urologist, Radiation Oncologist, Physicist or the Radiation Safety Officer of UCPI.