Low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy
LDR brachytherapy involves inserting radioactive ‘seeds’ permanently into the prostate. The seeds deliver a dose of radiation directly to the prostate while minimizing dose to the bladder, urethra and rectum.
How does it work?
LDR brachytherapy may be done under a general anesthetic, where you’ll be put to sleep. Or, you might be given a spinal or epidural anesthetic, where the lower half of your body is numbed and you’ll stay awake but won’t feel anything.
The radiation oncologist places the radioactive seeds into the prostate through the skin of the perineum (space between the anus and scrotum). The number of seeds placed depends on the size of your prostate and the activity of the seeds, but they’re so small (about the size of a rice grain) they rarely cause discomfort. You’ll also have a catheter (thin tube) inserted to help drain urine from your bladder during the treatment.
The seeds will remain in the prostate gland permanently and will slowly release radiation for a period of weeks to months (this will depend on your doctor’s plan and the type of LDR seed used). During this time men will give off a low dose of radiation.
How long does it take?
The procedure usually takes about 45 minutes. Almost all men go home a few hours after the procedure — once you’ve recovered from the anesthesia, your catheter has been removed, and you can urinate (pee) normally.
Follow-up care
Up to 6 weeks after treatment, you may have a CT or MRI scan to check the position of the seeds. After this, you’ll have regular follow up appointments to monitor your PSA levels, making sure they are dropping which indicates successful treatment. The level may continue to drop for over 12 months. The PSA often does not completely disappear but falls to a low level.
Who’s a good candidate
for LDR brachytherapy?
LDR brachytherapy is suitable for men with localized prostate cancer, whose cancer has not spread outside the prostate. It is best used by itself (monotherapy) for men with low or favorable intermediate risk cancers and as a boost (together with external beam radiation) for higher risk cancers.
High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy
HDR brachytherapy involves inserting a radioactive ‘seed’ into the prostate using a number of thin hollow tubes. The seed is attached to a wire which is controlled by a machine (an ‘afterloader’) which moves the seed in and out of each tube. The seed delivers a dose of radiation directly to the prostate while minimizing dose to the bladder, urethra and rectum.
How does it work?
HDR brachytherapy can be done using different types of anesthesia. You might be given a spinal or epidural anesthetic, where you’ll stay awake during the treatment but won’t feel anything. Or, you may be given a general anesthetic and be put into a deep sleep while the treatment takes place.
The radiation oncologist will insert thin hollow tubes multiple tubes (about 10 to 20) into the prostate gland. The position of the tubes are checked using a CT scan, MRI or ultrasound scan and a radiation plan is made. The tubes are then attached to the afterloader and the treatment is delivered in a short period of time (usually less than 30 minutes). The prostate then gets a highly targeted dose of radiation to try to kill the cancer cells.
The tubes will be removed once the treatment is finished. After the treatment, the HDR seed and tubes are removed so you are not radioactive after treatment. Your doctor may advise having more than one treatment, but they can give you more details. You will also have a catheter placed into your bladder to help drain your urine (wee/mimi) during treatment.
How long will I be in the hospital?
If you’re having one HDR treatment, almost all men go home a few hours after the procedure - once you’ve recovered from the anesthesia, your catheter has been removed, and you can urinate (pee) normally. If you’re having multiple HDR treatments, you may be admitted to hospital for 1 to 2 days. Your doctor can let you know the details.
Follow-up care
You will have a follow-up appointment with your doctor or care team within a few weeks of HDR. This will be to check on how well you’re feeling, as well as monitor your PSA.
The level may continue to drop for over 12 months. The PSA often does not completely disappear but falls to a low level.
Who’s a good candidate
for HDR brachytherapy?
HDR brachytherapy is suitable for men with intermediate-risk or high-risk localized prostate cancer.
HDR brachytherapy can be used:
by itself (monotherapy) for men with low or favorable intermediate risk cancers
as a boost (together with external beam radiation) for higher risk cancers
if the cancer has come back in the prostate and other forms of radiation therapy have been given (salvage brachytherapy)
HDR brachytherapy may also be given alongside hormone therapy.
What about
side effects?
Brachytherapy tends to be tolerated pretty well but there are some side effects:
Urinary problems
Most men will experience some urinary problems immediately after radiation therapy, which may last several months. These problems include:
needing to urinate (pee) often - 'urinary frequency'
suddenly feeling you have to pee - 'urinary urgency'
burning when you urinate
having a hard time urinating, or feeling like you need to push your pee out
blood in your urine
Fortunately, these symptoms tend to be short-term and by 12 months, most men will return to their urinary function before treatment. Recovery is usually faster for men getting HDR (high dose rate) brachytherapy compared to those getting LDR (low dose rate) brachytherapy.
Sexual issues
Brachytherapy may cause some changes to your sexual function, like:
erectile dysfunction (ED), which often develops over time after treatment is finished
painful ejaculation, which may be short term or long term
rusty-colored semen (short term)
Bowel issues
Some men will experience an irritated rectum (butthole area) but this is usually mild. Some men also have bleeding from the back passage. These symptoms are more common when brachytherapy is given as a boost to external beam radiation. Other effects can include:
- diarrhea
- passing gas (or farting), more than usual
- needing to go to the bathroom more often
- leaking a clear, jelly-like mucus from your bottom
- a feeling that you haven’t fully emptied your bowels, and there’s more that needs to come out
Fatigue or feeling extremely tired
Fatigue experienced during radiation therapy is usually mild but can get in the way of everyday life. It will go away after treatment ends but may take several weeks. Exercising has been shown to reduce fatigue during radiation.
Important notes
about brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is likely to make you infertile, which means you won’t be able to have children naturally. This is because the radiation may affect your sperm and continue to do so over time. However, it is still important to use contraception if your partner can become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor or care team about options for freezing your sperm before treatment.Your doctor may suggest that you use a condom during sex for some time after treatment with LDR brachytherapy.
For the first 4 to 6 months after LDR brachytherapy, your doctor may advise you to reduce close contact with pregnant women or infants (like having a baby on your lap for several hours). Even though the radiation doesn’t travel far, it is best to be cautious as it could be harmful to them.
If an individual who has undergone LDR brachytherapy passes away within 24 months of the procedure, their body cannot be cremated. If cremation is important to you for personal or religious reasons, please speak to your doctor or care team
about your options
before you have the procedure .Brachytherapy is often used with external beam radiation and hormone therapy.
