Prostate brachytherapy

Prostate brachytherapy
Intervention
Figure 1. Single and stranded brachytherapy seeds showing relative sizes of the seeds and needles used for insertion
ICD-9-CM	92.27
MedlinePlus	007385

Brachytherapy is a type of radiotherapy, or radiation treatment, offered to certain cancer patients. There are two types of brachytherapy – high dose-rate (HDR) and low dose-rate (LDR). LDR brachytherapy is the type that is most commonly used to treat prostate cancer; it may sometimes be referred to as ‘seed implantation’ or it may also be called ‘pinhole surgery’.

In LDR brachytherapy, tiny radioactive particles the size of a grain of rice (see Figure 1) are implanted directly into the site of the tumour. These particles are known as ‘seeds’, and they can be inserted linked together as strands, or individually. Because the seeds are inserted or implanted directly into, or very close to, the tumour, they deliver high doses of radiation to the tumour without affecting the normal healthy tissues around it. This means that the procedure is less damaging than conventional radiation therapy, where the radioactive beam is delivered from outside the body and must pass through other tissues before reaching the tumour.

LDR prostate brachytherapy (seed implantation) is a proven treatment for early, localised prostate cancer (when the cancer is contained within the prostate). ^[2][3] Under a general anaesthetic, the radioactive seeds are injected through fine needles directly into the prostate, so that the radiotherapy can destroy the cancer cells. The seeds are permanently implanted, so they remain in place but gradually become inactive as the radioactivity decays naturally and safely over time.^[4] Unlike traditional surgery, LDR brachytherapy requires no incisions and is normally carried out as a day-case procedure. Sometimes a single overnight stay in hospital is required. Patients usually recover quickly from LDR brachytherapy, which means that most men can return to work or normal daily activities within a few days. As described below, LDR brachytherapy has a good side-effect profile with less risk of incontinence or impotence than other treatment options,^[5] and is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to major surgery (conventional radical prostatectomy or laparoscopic (keyhole surgery) radical prostatectomy).

Isotopes used include iodine 125 and palladium 103.^[6]

Procedure

Figure 2. Grid for inserting needles into the perineum

Figure 3. Diagram showing where the seeds are placed in the prostate after insertion

Figure 4. Computer image illustrating how the prostate (orange/red) is completely covered with radiation (green). The radiation does not affect the back passage (rectum, blue) at all.

When LDR prostate brachytherapy (seed implantation) is carried out, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the back passage (rectum), and images from this probe are used to assess the size and shape of the prostate gland. This is done so that the doctor can identify how to best deliver the right radiation dose for each patient. Then the seeds are inserted in the exact locations identified at the beginning of the procedure. This usually takes 1–2 hours.^[7] No surgical incision is required; instead, the radioactive seeds are inserted into the prostate gland using needles which pass through the skin between the scrotum and the rectum (the perineum) and an ultrasound probe is used to accurately guide them to their final position. The needles are put into the target positions and between 70 and 150 seeds are placed into the prostate. The needles are then removed. Figure 2 shows the grid-like device used to guide the needles into the perineal area; co-ordinates or ‘map references’ on this grid or template are used to pinpoint the exact positions in the prostate where the seeds are to be placed. Figure 3 shows how the seeds are positioned to target the tumour. The doctor uses ultrasound and X-ray pictures to make sure the seeds are in the right place. A special computer software program is used to make sure the prostate gland is completely covered by just the right dose of radiation (see Figure 4) to ensure that all cancer cells present in the prostate have been completely treated.

Once in place, the seeds slowly begin to release their radiation. While the seeds are active, the patient must observe some basic precautions. Travel and contact with adults are fine; however, for the first two months following seed implantation, small children and pregnant women should not be in direct contact with the patient for prolonged periods – for example children should not sit on the patient’s knee for any length of time. Sexual intercourse can start again within a few weeks. Very occasionally a seed can be expelled in the semen on ejaculation; if this does happen, it will usually occur in the first few ejaculations, so it is advisable to use a condom for the first two or three occasions of intercourse following LDR brachytherapy. ^[8]

Patients can usually get back to normal activities and work within a few days. They should expect to be seen for follow-up after four to six weeks, and then every three months for a year, six-monthly up to five years, then annually.^[7][8]

Indications

LDR prostate brachytherapy (seed implantation) is recommended as a treatment for patients whose cancer is at an early stage (cancer stages T1 to T2), and which has not spread beyond the prostate (localised disease).^[8][9] Doctors use a combination of factors such as cancer stage and grade, PSA level and Gleason score to help them decide if a patient is suitable for LDR brachytherapy. Patients should ask their doctors about the results of these different tests and how they influence the type of treatment they may be offered.^[8][9] LDR brachytherapy in combination with external beam radiotherapy may also be recommended for patients with later-stage cancer and higher PSA level and Gleason score.^[8]

Risks and benefits

Since its introduction in the mid-1980s, prostate brachytherapy (seed implantation) has become a well-established treatment option for patients with early, localised disease. In the US alone, over 50,000 eligible prostate cancer patients a year are treated using this method.^[1] Awareness of this treatment choice has now spread to other parts of the world, and there is widespread and rapidly growing use of the technique. In the UK alone, brachytherapy has been used for over 10 years and thousands of patients have been treated.

Clinical benefits

LDR prostate brachytherapy (seed implantation) on its own has been shown to be highly effective for the treatment of early prostate cancer.^[10] The rate of survival with no increase in average PSA levels after LDR brachytherapy is similar to that achieved with external beam radiotherapy and radical prostatectomy.^[2] However LDR brachytherapy has a lower risk of some of the complications associated with these other treatment options.^[5] It is important to remember that many men in this age group die from diseases unrelated to their prostate cancer.

Side-effects

Table 1. Side-effects and effects on recovery of treatments for newly diagnosed prostate cancer.^[1]

LDR prostate brachytherapy (seed implantation) is a very effective treatment for early, localised prostate cancer, with patients rapidly returning to normal activities.^[11] Although patients may experience problems (urinary incontinence or difficulty with urination) for the first 6 months or so after their implant, these usually settle down and lasting problems are rare, only occurring in about 1–2% of patients.^[12] Some patients (less than 10%) report an increase in bowel problems (diarrhea or urgency of the bowels), but again this usually settles down without further treatment.^[13]

Erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting and/or keeping an erection; impotence) is another side-effect associated with all treatments for prostate cancer. Other treatments for prostate cancer cause problems with erectile dysfunction in 30–60% of men (as seen in Table 1), but these problems are much less common after LDR brachytherapy, and only occur in about 10–30% of men under the age of 60 years, who were potent before treatment.^[1]

In a recent study looking at patients’ quality of life, LDR brachytherapy compared favourably with other treatment options.^[13] Table 1 summarises the more common side-effects related with each form of treatment and how these may affect patient recovery.

Summary

In summary, LDR prostate brachytherapy (seed implantation) as a treatment for early, localised prostate cancer is as effective as other recommended treatments, but has fewer serious side-effects. Since it does not involve major surgery, LDR brachytherapy may be preferred by patients because it preserves their quality of life, notably their sex life and urinary control, and limits their time in hospital after the procedure allowing them to return quickly to their everyday lives.

See also

• Prostate cancer
• Brachytherapy

External links

• American Brachytherapy Society (USA)
• Canadian Prostate Cancer Network (Canada)
• National Prostate Cancer Coalition (USA)
• Prostate Brachytherapy Advisory Group (UK)
• Prostate Cancer Charity (UK)
• Prostate Cancer Foundation (USA)
• Prostate Cancer Research Institute (USA)
• Prostate UK (UK)
• Vancouver Island Prostate Cancer Research Foundation (Canada)

References