Brachytherapy

Low-Dose Rate (LDR) Brachytherapy

Low-dose rate (LDR) prostate seed implant is a brachytherapy procedure where tiny, radioactive metal pellets, or seeds, are placed directly into the prostate gland. Brachytherapy seeds slowly give off precise doses of radiation to the prostate gland, while limiting the radiation exposure to the surrounding normal tissues. It is a far less-invasive procedure than prostatectomy (surgical removal of the entire prostate gland), and enables delivery of a precisely targeted dose of radiation to the prostate.

Brachytherapy seed implant is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that is performed with anesthesia in the operating room. Most LDR brachytherapy patients experience minimal recovery time and can return to normal activity in one to two days.

High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy

If you have skin, breast or gynecologic cancer, your treatment may include high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy. This is a specialized type of internal radiation treatment that utilizes a single, high-activity, computer-controlled radiation source. This single source, or “smart seed,” delivers highly precise brachytherapy treatments in a convenient outpatient setting.

During HDR brachytherapy, an applicator is first inserted into the body directly into or very close to the tumor. The applicator is then connected to a computer-assisted HDR system that houses the smart seed.

During the five-minute to 15-minute HDR brachytherapy treatment, the tiny seed travels out of the HDR device, into the applicator, then directly to the tumor. HDR brachytherapy concentrates the radiation dose on the tumor and minimizes the effect on normal tissues.

Brachytherapy is just one of many types of advanced radiation treatment options available at Memorial Cancer Institute.

Please call Memorial Cancer Institute to schedule an appointment: 954-265-4325, or email us.