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Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer in Atlanta

Our board-certified urologists offer low-dose brachytherapy as part of a personalized prostate cancer treatment plan tailored to your diagnosis and goals.

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What Is Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer?

Brachytherapy for prostate cancer involves the insertion of tiny radioactive seeds, each about the size of a sesame seed, directly into the prostate gland. The seeds used in low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy contain a radioactive isotope called Palladium-103. Once implanted, the seeds emit a continuous low dose of radiation over several weeks, targeting cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Eventually, the seeds stop delivering radiation, and they remain in the prostate for life.

LDR prostate brachytherapy is a well-established radiation therapy for prostate cancer, with long-term cancer control reported across numerous clinical studies. When performed with intraoperative real-time adaptive planning, LDR brachytherapy delivers millimeter-level precision, allowing your physician to sculpt the radiation dose to your specific anatomy. This approach also allows the dose to be escalated to areas of concern while keeping radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue to a minimum.

For men with localized prostate cancer, prostate seed implant therapy offers an effective, minimally invasive alternative to surgery, with a recovery time that allows most patients to return to normal activities within days.

How Does Brachytherapy Work?

The low-dose brachytherapy procedure is straightforward, minimally invasive, and completed in a single outpatient visit. Here is what you can expect from start to finish.

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Consultation and Evaluation

Your care team will review your PSA levels, Gleason score, biopsy results, and overall health to confirm that low-dose brachytherapy is the right treatment for your diagnosis. Imaging may be performed to map the size and shape of your prostate ahead of the procedure.

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Treatment Planning

Using ultrasound imaging, your physician creates a precise treatment plan that determines exactly how many radioactive seeds are needed and where they will be placed inside the prostate. This planning step is critical to ensuring accurate, effective radiation delivery.

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Anesthesia

On the day of your procedure, you will receive anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout. The brachytherapy procedure for prostate cancer typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes.

Illustration of brachytherapy for prostate cancer showing ultrasound probe, needles, and radioactive seed implantation.

Seed Implantation

Using ultrasound guidance, your physician inserts thin needles through the perineum and places tiny radioactive seeds, each about the size of a grain of rice, directly into the prostate. The seeds are permanently implanted and remain in the prostate after the procedure is complete.

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Recovery

Most patients go home the same day and return to normal activities within a few days. Some temporary urinary symptoms, such as increased frequency or mild discomfort, are common and typically resolve on their own over time.

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Ongoing Radiation and Follow-Up

The prostate seed implants continuously emit low levels of radiation over several months, gradually destroying cancer cells. Your care team will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your PSA levels and track your response to treatment.

Who Is a Candidate for Brachytherapy?

Brachytherapy is ideal for men with early-stage prostate cancer that is less likely to spread beyond the prostate. It may also be combined with other treatments for intermediate or high-risk cases. Final recommendations depend on your PSA, biopsy results, imaging, prostate size, urinary symptoms, and overall health.

Have early-stage, localized prostate cancer confined to the prostate gland

Have a prostate size and urinary function suitable for seed implantation

Prefer a minimally invasive outpatient procedure with a fast recovery

Have a PSA level and Gleason score consistent with low to intermediate risk disease

Have intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer and are combining brachytherapy with other treatments

Want to preserve urinary and sexual function while receiving effective radiation therapy

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Brachytherapy Side Effects

One of the most significant advantages of modern LDR brachytherapy is its mild side effects. Compared to many conventional prostate cancer treatments, LDR brachytherapy has lower rates of sexual, urinary, and gastrointestinal side effects. That said, some temporary side effects are normal as your body adjusts following the prostate seed implant procedure.

Increased urinary frequency, urgency, or a weak urine stream are the most common side effects. These are temporary and typically improve on their own over several months.

Most men retain sexual function following LDR brachytherapy. Some may notice changes in erectile function over time, though rates of sexual side effects are lower with brachytherapy than with surgery or external beam radiation.

Because the seeds are implanted directly into the prostate, radiation exposure to the rectum is minimal. Gastrointestinal side effects are uncommon with modern, precisely planned LDR brachytherapy.

Long-term side effects are generally low when the procedure is performed with real-time adaptive planning. Regular follow-up appointments allow your care team to monitor your PSA levels and address any concerns early.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brachytherapy

How Long Does Brachytherapy Radiation Last?

The radioactive seeds begin working immediately after implantation and release most of their radiation within the first three months. After around 8 to 10 months, nearly all of the radiation has been delivered. The seeds remain in the prostate permanently but are harmless once their radioactivity has fully decayed.

How Successful Is Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer?

Brachytherapy has strong long-term outcomes for men with localized prostate cancer. Studies show survival rates comparable to surgery, with the added benefit of fewer complications. Success depends on factors such as cancer stage, PSA levels, and Gleason score, which is why your care team will carefully evaluate whether brachytherapy is the right fit for you.

Will the Radioactive Seeds Harm People Around Me?

The radiation emitted by the seeds is of very low energy and travels only a few millimeters beyond the prostate, making it unlikely to affect those around you. However, as a precaution, doctors typically advise limiting prolonged close contact with pregnant women and young children for the first couple of months after the procedure. Your care team will provide specific guidance based on your individual treatment.

Can Brachytherapy Be Repeated If Prostate Cancer Returns?
In some cases, yes. If cancer returns after brachytherapy, additional treatment options may be available, including repeat brachytherapy, HIFU, or hormone therapy, depending on where and how the cancer has recurred. Your doctor will evaluate your PSA levels and overall health to determine the best next step.