Benefits of LDR
Brachytherapy Treatment

LDR brachytherapy is a form of internal radiation, developed in the 1970s. It has emerged as a promising treatment due to technological advancements in ultrasound imaging. This innovation has contributed to the success of brachytherapy treatment and 10-year data shows an overall survival rate of 93% after treatment. Physicians are now able to accurately plan the location and position of radiation sources, or "seeds," for the successful treatment of prostate cancer.

Following are some of the possible benefits and advantages of brachytherapy:

• Rapid return to normal activities (usually within 2 - 3 days.)
• Minimally invasive procedure
• May not require hospital stay
• As effective as other therapies
• Little to no effect on patient's lifestyle and level of activity
• Less likely to develop impotence than other treatment options

Risks & Complications

There are also some possible long-term side effects you should be aware of:

• Depending on age, 10 - 30% of men will become impotent compared to 40 - 60% with external beam radiation and 65 - 90% with standard radical surgery.
• Urinary incontinence and proctitis have been reported in about 1% of cases
• Transient dysuria and increased urinary frequency have been reported in about 15% of patients

There may be blood pressent in the urine for a few days following the procedure. Possible side effects vary with treatment severity. Your doctor will explain the specifics of what you may experience.