Treatment involving temporary implants or HDR (high dose radiation) is normally begun during the final phase of IMRT external beam radiation. Again, this external therapy treats areas of risk for cancer spread around the prostate gland, areas which are out of range for implants. Usually during the last week of treatment, the first of two implant procedures is done.

As with permanent implants, each temporary implant procedure is done in the hospital setting on an outpatient basis. With the patient under anesthesia, a urologist guided by ultrasound places thin, hollow catheters into specific parts of the prostate. Once the catheters are placed, the patient undergoes a CT scan allowing the radiation oncologist to recreate an exact model of the patient’s tumor site and surrounding critical structures.

The healthcare team of doctors and physicists uses this model to formulate a specific plan for radiation delivery tailored to the individual patient’s anatomy. Following placement of the catheters, the patient is taken to the treatment area where this plan isus3d as a guide to move the radiation source through each catheter in succession. The source is approximately the size of a grain of rice. It is attached to the end of a wire and is able to travel through each catheter.

The patient can hear the movement of the radiation source, but experiences nothing else during the procedure. Following completion, the radiation source and the catheters are removed. The patient is then allowed to return home. In approximately one to two weeks, the patient returns for the second and final implant.

The most common sequence of treatments when combining external and internal (brachytherapy) techniques is to deliver the external radiation first and follow that treatment with the higher dose brachytherapy. Rationale lies in the ability to deliver the more intense dose to a smaller tumor mass with better protection of adjacent normal tissues.

Choosing Temporary Implants

The greatest advantage of the temporary implant is the high degree of accuracy achieved by delivering the radiation to the exact location within the prostate. Radiation is given over a few minutes rather than many months, as in permanent implants.

Minimized Side Effects

Effectively treating the prostate cancer, while greatly limiting side effects is our ultimate goal. The key to limiting side effects is proper selection of the best treatment option.

All the techniques we employ – IMRT, permanent seed implants and temporary implants – by their nature of precise dose delivery to the cancer cells, limit exposure to healthy tissues. Appropriate techniques are critical to minimizing the potential side effects associated with radiation treatment. These side effects may include fatigue, urinary frequency and rectal discomfort.

These problems, when they do occur, generally subside when treatment has been completed. Long-term problems are uncommon.

After Treatment Follow-up

The patient usually returns to see the radiation oncologist two to four weeks after the final radiation session or implant. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level checks and physical exams will be scheduled every three to four months for the first couple of years.

Proven Outcomes in Curing Disease

 Atlanta Oncology Associate’s three decades of expertise has led to the treatment and cure of thousands of prostate cancer patients who continue to live full, productive lives 5, 10, 20 and more than thirty years after treatment.

Our patients can expect a great likelihood of cancer-free survival after treatment. This success is possible because of our commitment to offering the widest array of effective, innovative therapies combined with our skill at tailoring them to the specific patient’s needs.

We intend to achieve the best opportunity for cure with the fewest possible side effects.

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