Prostate Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy, one of the most important weapons of radiation oncology, can also be used in the treatment of prostate cancer. Radiotherapy, which is used in organ-limited stages of prostate cancer in those who are not suitable for surgery, becomes more effective with the addition of brachytherapy to selected patients. Just like external irradiation, in brachytherapy the tumor is effectively destroyed with minimal side effects. With prostate brachytherapy, the cancerous tissue in the prostate is irradiated from within the prostate rather than from outside. Thus, successful results are achieved by targeting the tumor closely, at high doses and without damaging the surrounding tissues.
4D Prostate Brachytherapy at Liv Hospital
At Liv Hospital Radiation Oncology Clinic, high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy service is provided with real-time imaging. HDR (high dose) prostate brachytherapy is applied to patients with prostate cancer under real-time transrectal ultrasound guidance. Brachytherapy can be applied in addition to IG-IMRT, which is an external irradiation method, especially in selected patients who are suitable for this treatment.
What is 4-Dimensional Prostate Brachytherapy?
The 4-dimensional prostate brachytherapy method is applied through plastic needles inserted through the skin into the prostate tissue under transrectal ultrasound guidance. Since the entire procedure is performed under simultaneous prostate high-resolution ultrasound guidance, it provides the opportunity to make a highly effective treatment plan and apply this treatment with high accuracy. In the light of real-time images of the prostate and other normal tissues, the most effective and least side-effect treatment plan is made and implemented. The procedure, which takes approximately 2 hours under general or spinal anesthesia, ends with the removal of the inserted needles. The patient is then invited for external irradiation or second prostate brachytherapy, which will start one week later.
What are the Advantages of Prostate Brachytherapy?
- Total radiotherapy time is shortened.
- Treatment effectiveness increases.
- The duration of hormone therapy can be shortened.
- Damage to surrounding organs and tissues is reduced.
- Side effects are few.
- The incidence of urinary incontinence/urinary tract stricture is extremely low.
- It is usually done in a single session and the risk of bleeding is almost non-existent.
Who Can Have Prostate Brachytherapy?
- In addition to external treatment (IG-IMRT) in intermediate and high risk prostate cancer patients,
- As focal radiotherapy in patients with recurrence who have previously received radiotherapy,
- It can be used alone in low-risk patients who are not suitable for the selected operation.
- What are the advantages of 4B High Dose Prostate Brachytherapy over Permanent Seed Brachytherapy?
- Since there will be no radioactive source left inside the patient, the patient returns to his daily life normally.
- Real-time imaging guidance throughout the entire process increases process accuracy.
- Since radioactive sources cannot be left inside the patient, there is no potential for these sources to migrate.