Radioactive Seeds for Prostate Cancer: What to Know

This treatment is commonly called brachytherapy. A specialist team uses imaging and treatment planning to position the seeds so radiation reaches the prostate while limiting exposure to nearby tissues. Suitability depends on the cancer features, prostate anatomy, urinary function, and your overall health.

Before treatment, your team assesses the prostate and urinary tract, often with examination and imaging. During the procedure, needles guide the seeds through the area between the scrotum and anus into the prostate. The procedure is performed with anaesthesia, and imaging helps confirm their position.

Some seeds stay in place and release radiation gradually. Other forms use a source that delivers radiation for a planned period before being removed. Your team will explain which approach is suitable and whether it is used alone or alongside external radiotherapy or another treatment.

Tell the treatment team about medicines, allergies, previous procedures, and any difficulty passing urine. Follow the instructions about eating, drinking, bowel preparation, and medicines before the procedure. Arrange transport and follow the discharge advice, because anaesthesia and the procedure can affect your normal activities for a while.

Temporary urinary urgency, a weaker stream, burning when passing urine, or blood in the urine can occur after treatment. Bowel changes and soreness in the treated area are also possible. Take only the medicines recommended by your team, drink according to their advice, and attend planned checks so urinary symptoms and treatment response can be reviewed.

Contact your treatment team promptly if you cannot pass urine, develop worsening pain, have heavy or persistent bleeding, or develop fever or chills. Seek urgent medical help for severe symptoms or if you feel suddenly unwell. Keep any radiation-safety instructions you receive and ask the team before close contact with others if you have questions about precautions.

A gradual change in urinary or bowel symptoms should still be reported if it interferes with sleep, eating, work, or daily activities. Difficulty passing urine is a symptom that deserves specific advice after prostate treatment.

Ask which type of seed treatment is planned, why it fits your cancer and prostate findings, what anaesthesia and imaging will be used, and whether you need another treatment as well. Ask how your current urinary symptoms affect eligibility, what recovery should look like, which warning signs require immediate contact, and how follow-up will monitor the cancer and side effects.