How effective is brachytherapy for prostate cancer?

In permanent seed brachytherapy, small radioactive seeds remain in the prostate and release radiation gradually. In temporary high-dose-rate treatment, a radiation source enters catheters for planned sessions and is then removed. Both approaches aim to treat the prostate while limiting exposure to nearby organs.

The treatment may be used alone for selected disease or combined with external-beam radiation and hormone treatment when cancer risk or spread calls for a wider plan. Doctors consider biopsy findings, scans, prostate size, urinary symptoms, prior procedures, and general health.

Tell your team about weak urine flow, frequent urination, previous prostate surgery, bowel disease, blood-thinning medicines, and implanted devices. Ask which technique is planned and when normal activity can resume. Take medicines exactly as prescribed, drink fluids according to your team’s advice, and attend PSA checks and examinations because response is followed over time.

Call promptly if you cannot pass urine, develop fever, have worsening pelvic pain, or see heavy blood in the urine or stool. Seek urgent care for severe weakness, fainting, uncontrolled bleeding, or sudden leg weakness with loss of bladder or bowel control.

Is brachytherapy suitable for my cancer risk and urinary function? Would I need external radiation or hormone treatment as well? What urinary, bowel, and sexual changes are possible? How will PSA and examinations show whether treatment is working?