How long are brachytherapy seeds radioactive

Many doctors will check the bladder after the implant during a procedure called "cystoscopy" to avoid leaving seeds in the bladder. Your doctor should provide you with instructions if you notice a seed in your urine. It is also possible, though highly unlikely that you can pass a seed through ejaculation. It is recommended that you wear a condom for the first few climaxes, as this is when a seed would most likely be passed. Because the seeds gradually lose their radioactive properties and there is no evidence that there is a benefit to removal, the seeds remain in the prostate.

How long does the radiation last, and am I radioactive after the implant? The radioactivity of the seeds decays very quickly with time. The radiation used for the treatment of prostate cancer is delivered during the first half life of the isotope, which is 60 days for Iodine The radiation that the seeds give is of such low energy that the radiation is limited to millimeters around the seeds. So, even though very sensitive Geiger counters could detect radiation in your body, you would not be considered radioactive.

Despite the very low risk, some doctors recommend that close contact with pregnant women and small children be avoided for some period of time after the initial procedure. Ask your doctor for specific instructions. The tubes are kept in place until you've completed your treatments. For HDR brachytherapy treatments, the tubes are connected to a machine that feeds wires containing radioactive sources into the prostate.

The radioactive wires are left in place for a set amount of time, typically several minutes. You may hear clicking noises as the machine adjusts the wires. Then the radioactive wires are removed. The procedure may be repeated a few times, depending on your specific treatment plan. The radioactive source is removed from your body after HDR brachytherapy, so you won't need any special precautions to avoid close contact with other people.

After prostate brachytherapy, you can expect some pain and swelling in the perineum. You may find relief by placing an ice pack over the area and taking pain medication prescribed by your doctor. You can resume normal activities when you feel up to it. Your doctor may give you instructions for your recovery, such as avoiding vigorous exercise and heavy lifting. After prostate brachytherapy, you may undergo follow-up blood tests to measure the level of prostate-specific antigen PSA in your blood.

These tests may give your doctor an idea of whether treatment has been successful. Your doctor will likely continue monitoring your PSA level to make sure it doesn't continue to rise. Ask your doctor when you can expect to know whether your prostate cancer is responding to treatment.

A persistently rising PSA level after brachytherapy may indicate that the cancer has returned. Your doctor may recommend imaging tests and a prostate biopsy to look for signs of cancer. If your cancer has returned and is confined to your prostate, you have several treatment options, including treatments to freeze the cancer cells with very cold liquid cryotherapy , heat the cancer cells with high-intensity focused ultrasound, or surgery to remove the prostate salvage prostatectomy.

If your cancer has spread beyond your prostate, other treatments, such as hormone therapy, may be considered. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Permanent prostate brachytherapy Open pop-up dialog box Close. Permanent prostate brachytherapy Permanent prostate brachytherapy involves placing many radioactive seeds within the prostate to treat prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer Open pop-up dialog box Close. Prostate cancer Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate gland, which is located just below the bladder in males and surrounds the top portion of the tube that drains urine from the bladder urethra. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. It's safe to have sex and sleep in the same bed as your partner after treatment. For a few months, when having sex you should wear a condom. This is in case a seed comes out.

There is a very small risk that one or more seeds might get loose and move out of the prostate gland. There have been reports of seeds moving into the bladder or lung. When a seed has gone to another part of the body, it does no harm. When you go home, your doctor gives you a card. You need to keep the card with you at all times for 2 years.

It has your personal details and the details of your consultant. It says what procedure you have had in case of an emergency. Around 6 weeks after the treatment you have a CT scan to check that all the seeds are in the right place. You have regular blood tests to check the level of a protein called prostate specific antigen PSA in your blood.

Temporary brachytherapy is when radioactive pellets are put into your prostate gland. Your doctor takes them out at the end of the treatment.

It is also called high dose rate HDR brachytherapy. You might have external radiotherapy as treatment for prostate cancer. Find out about planning treatment, having treatment and possible side effects.

Prostate cancer usually depends on testosterone to grow. Hormone therapy blocks or lowers the amount of testosterone in the body. Brachytherapy can cause some long term side effects such as passing wee urine more often and difficulty getting an erection. Get practical and emotional support to help you cope with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, and life during and after treatment. Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland. Find out about who gets prostate cancer and the most common type.

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Skip to main content. Home About cancer Prostate cancer Treatment for prostate cancer Radiotherapy Internal radiotherapy brachytherapy for prostate cancer Permanent seed brachytherapy. Permanent seed brachytherapy is also called permanent brachytherapy or low dose rate LDR radiotherapy. Pain and swelling. Urine problems. Blood in semen. Bowel changes. Find out more about internal radiotherapy safety. Find out about the long term side effects of internal radiotherapy.

Related links. Temporary brachytherapy Temporary brachytherapy is when radioactive pellets are put into your prostate gland.