The Brachytherapy procedure

You will be given a list of instructions to follow to prepare your bowel for your Brachytherapy treatment. A clean, empty rectum is needed on the day of your treatment so that good images of your prostate can be obtained using the ultrasound rectal probe.

The doctor will insert an ultrasound probe into your rectum. Serial images of your prostate will be recorded. Using these images, a 3-D brachytherapy treatment plan is created by an advanced computer planning system. This allows the doctor to see how many radioactive seeds will be needed, and to see where the seeds should be placed. During the treatment, the placement of seeds is monitored using X-ray Imaging, Ultrasound Imaging, and the computer planning system. By monitoring your treatment in this way, the doctor can ensure greater than 99% coverage of the cancer with radiation.

Needles containing the radioactive seeds will be inserted through your perineum [the area of skin beneath your scrotum] into your prostate. You will be given a general anaesthetic, or sometimes, an epidural anaesthetic, before these needles are inserted. The seeds are then deposited into the prostate, in the areas and quantities that your doctor has determined will most effectively treat your cancer.

After your treatment, you will be taken to the recovery room until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. You will then be returned to your room and stay hospital for one night. You will have a catheter inserted into your bladder to allow you to pass urine. You may need an ice pack on your perineum to reduce swelling after the treatment, which will be provided for you if it is needed. You will also be given painkillers, as some slight discomfort is expected following the treatment. The Urologist or Radiotherapist may visit you in your room after your treatment.

While you are in hospital, you will not be placed in special isolation because almost all of the radiation from the treatment is absorbed by your prostate. The radiation level outside your body is safe for others, letting you resume your normal activities immediately after leaving the hospital.

The morning after the treatment, the catheter will be taken out and you will be allowed to go home as soon as you are able to pass urine. You will be prescribed medications to reduce swelling of your prostate.