Brachytherapy, also referred to as seed implantation, is a type of internal radiation therapy used to treat various types of cancer, including prostate cancer. Small radioactive seeds, resembling grains of rice, are placed inside the prostate. The exact dose of radiation is determined so that the cancer cells get enough radiation, but the surrounding normal tissue does not. Both brachytherapy options may be used to treat prostate cancer by themselves or in combination with external radiation. 

Permanent or Low-dose brachytherapy
Two types of brachytherapy are available: one is temporary and the other permanent. Permanent brachytherapy involves low-dose radioactive seeds, which may be made of iodine, pallidium, cesium or iridium. While the patient is under spinal or general anesthesia, the seeds are inserted into the prostate through the perineum, the area between the scrotum and the anus. The seeds remain in place permanently and give off low doses of radiation until they are no longer radioactive. Should there be a risk that the cancer has spread outside the prostate, external beam radiation may also be prescribed.

Temporary or High-dose brachytherapy
For more aggressive prostate cancer or cancer that has likely spread outside the prostate, temporary brachytherapy is often used. This is a newer type of brachytherapy that uses high-dose pellets. The pellets are contained inside catheters that are inserted through the perineum into the prostate. The pellets stay inside the prostate for only a few minutes and then are removed.. Two or three applications are needed, separated by about six hours.  After the last treatment is complete, the catheters are removed.

Your physician and nurse will this treatment option in more detail, including your potential for cure, potential tumor reoccurrence, side effects, and recommended follow-up program.