Prostate Brachytherapy
(or radioactive implants) have become a widely accepted
alternative treatment for many stages of prostate cancer.
SF Brachytherapy offers state of the art technology in
prostate seed implant technology and expertise.
For High Dose Rate (HDR) implants:
Our centers employ the latest in seed implant technology.
We have prostate implant dedicated Siemens ultrasound units
that allow us to image the prostate gland in three dimensions
and therefore, allow us to guide the seeds accurately into the
appropriate location.
We
maintain an affliation with Proqura
which provides us with our treatment plans using the
worldwide leading seed implant planning system: Variseed.
This allows us to formulate a precise seed distribution to
maximize radiation dose to the prostate cancer but minimize
dose to the adjacent tissues. Proqura allows monitors the
quality of our implants and affiliation with them ensures our
ongoing high standards of our implants.
Once a patient consultation and evaluation has been completed and a patient is
determined to be a candidate for prostate seed implants, the planning process
begins. Generally, prostate seed implants are most effective in
patients that have low or intermediate risk prostate cancer.
To see if you are eligible for
prostate seed implants:
An ultrasound
volume study will need to be carried out several weeks before your implant
to determine if the shape and size of the prostate are appropriate and feasible
for a seed implant.
As well, the radiation oncologist will determine if
your pubic bones (pubic arch) may block access to the prostate and make an
implant difficult or impossible. The probability of pubic arch
interference is low in most patients but it must be determined prior to seed
implantation to avoid implant difficulties.
The ultrasound will be carried
out with your legs in stirrups (similar to a woman's pelvic
exam) so that the pubic arch will be wider. Some men
have problems with this position (eg. due to age or artificial
hips/knees).
Treatment Planning
Having
obtained the ultrasound images of your prostate, the a
treatment plan or map of how many seeds and their location is
created using the Variseed
system. An average prostate
usually requires about 110-120 seeds using on average 30
needles (ie. 4-5 seeds per needle).
A treatment
map is created and the seeds are ordered pre-loaded and
pre-sterilized in the exact pattern indicated by your
plan. The entire prostate will be implanted uniformly
but extra seeds will be added to the area where the biopsy has
indicated the presence of cancer cells.
Pre-operative Preparation
Patient undergo the standard preoperative tests (EKG, blood
tests, chest x-ray) 1-2 weeks before the surgery.
Sometimes a thorough cardiac evaluation must be carried out
depending on the patient's previous cardiac
status.
To see details of the seed implant
procedure:
