Seed Implant Brachytherapy Side Effects

This procedure may be performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis depending on the individual.

Seed implant brachytherapy side effects.

Brachytherapy for prostate cancer can cause problems getting and keeping an erection. Side effects of radioactive seed implants. Side effects are different from person to person. Brachytherapy side effects may include feelings of urgency frequent urination and slower and weaker urinary streams.

You might also get more side effects if you had problems before the treatment. Brachytherapy causes similar side effects to external beam radiotherapy. Other men may have side effects that last for a longer period of time or. Immediately after the seed implants a patient may feel an.

These urinary side effects occur immediately following the seed implants as well as in the months following but subside as the radioactive material begins to decay. Some smaller implants such as the seeds or pellets are left in place and never taken out. During this procedure you may be placed under anesthesia so that you aren t aware during the procedure and won t feel pain. These include frequent urination and a need to get to the bathroom quickly.

Over the course of several weeks they stop giving off radiation. Ldr prostate brachytherapy involves placing radioactive sources in the prostate permanently rather than being placed temporarily as is the case with hdr brachytherapy. Webmd describes how radioactive seed implants a form of radiation therapy called brachytherapy is used to treat prostate cancer. Find out about what your doctor might suggest if you have these side effects.

For larger implants you might have to stay in bed and lie still to keep it from moving. Your doctor will explain the risk of you getting certain side effects before you start treatment. Brachytherapy can be used to treat prostate cancer in the form of prostate seed implants during this procedure your doctor will place 80 120 small radioactive seeds into your prostate. Some people have no or very mild side effects.

Having brachytherapy with external beam radiotherapy may make some side effects more severe. The seeds or pellets are about the size of rice grains and rarely cause problems. Urinary symptoms are the most common. Yes there can be side effects or unwanted changes in your body when you have brachytherapy.

Some have bothersome side effects that may last for only a short period of time. Side effects should improve over the following months as the seeds lose their radiation and the swelling goes down. Brachytherapy for prostate cancer can cause some long term side effects such as passing wee urine more often and difficulty getting an erection. You might have worse side effects if you have permanent seed brachytherapy together with external beam radiotherapy and hormone therapy.