An overview of Prostate Brachytherapy
Prostate brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy used to treat prostate cancer. Imaging scans, such as ultrasound, CT, and MRI, are used to plan the treatment by helping the radiation oncologist decide the dose and positioning of the radiation. These scans are typically done before the procedure or at the beginning of the procedure.
What is Prostate Brachytherapy used for?
Prostate brachytherapy is used to treat prostate cancer. It involves placing radioactive sources within the prostate, so the cancer receives most of the radiation and nearby healthy tissue receives a minimal dose of radiation. It may be the only treatment used for early-stage prostate cancer that's less likely to spread beyond the prostate. For larger prostate cancers or those with a greater chance of spreading beyond the prostate, brachytherapy may be used along with other treatments like external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or hormone therapy. However, it is generally not used for advanced prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes or to distant areas of the body.
How to prepare for Prostate Brachytherapy?
Patient preparations are necessary before undergoing prostate brachytherapy. The following steps should be taken:
- Meet with a radiation oncologist: The patient should consult with a doctor who specializes in radiation therapy to discuss the available procedures and their potential risks and benefits. Together, they can decide if prostate brachytherapy is the right treatment option.
- Have tests to prepare for anesthesia: Blood tests and heart tests may be required to ensure the patient's overall health and to assess their ability to tolerate the anesthesia that will be used during the procedure.
- Discuss anesthesia options: Depending on the type of brachytherapy being performed (LDR or HDR), the patient may receive general anesthesia or anesthesia that blocks pain in the lower part of the body.
How is Prostate Brachytherapy conducted?
Prostate brachytherapy involves placing radioactive sources in the prostate gland to kill cancer cells while causing less damage to healthy tissue nearby. The two main types of prostate brachytherapy are high dose rate (HDR) and low dose rate (LDR). For HDR brachytherapy, thin tubes are inserted into the prostate through the perineum while the patient is under anesthesia. These tubes are used to guide the radioactive sources into precise locations within the prostate. The radioactive sources are left in place for a set amount of time, typically several minutes, and may be repeated a few times, depending on the treatment plan. For LDR brachytherapy, also known as seed implants, radioactive seeds are permanently placed in the prostate gland, where they slowly release radiation over several months. During both types of prostate brachytherapy, imaging scans like ultrasound, CT, and MRI are used to plan the treatment, determining the dose and positioning of the radiation. These tests can be done before the procedure or at the beginning of the procedure.
How are Prostate Brachytherapy results reported?
Results of prostate brachytherapy are typically reported through follow-up blood tests to measure the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. These tests can give your doctor an idea of whether the treatment has been successful, and they may monitor your PSA level to ensure it doesn't continue to rise. In some cases, there may be a temporary rise in PSA levels (PSA bounce), but it usually declines again. Your doctor will interpret your PSA results in the context of your overall health and treatment plan.
Understanding the report
Prostate brachytherapy results are interpreted by monitoring the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood after the procedure. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland, and its levels can indicate the presence or recurrence of prostate cancer. After prostate brachytherapy, a sudden rise in PSA levels (known as PSA bounce) may occur, but it usually decreases again. The doctor will continue to monitor the PSA levels to ensure they don't continue to rise, which could indicate that the cancer has returned. Follow-up blood tests and imaging scans, such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI, may also be performed to assess the treatment's effectiveness and detect any potential recurrence. It is important to discuss the interpretation of results with your doctor, who can provide guidance on the next steps and any necessary treatments based on the outcomes of the tests.