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Conventional Radiation Therapy is thought to have a good ‘cure’ rate, however it requires weeks of visits to the centre for daily treatment, there is a high risk of impotence and possible incontinence. During the treatment the patient can also suffer from tiredness, diarrhoea and frequent urination etc.

Seed implantation, on the other hand, is still new to this country (UK). In fact there is only one area - Leeds - where a man can expect of have a chance of this technique. Compare that with the USA with some 400 plus centres. This is sad when you consider that the Iodine seeds, are made in the U.S.A., by a British company, (hence the logo above). So why have our medics been so slow to bring in this modern method for the 14,000 men each year who are diagnosed with prostate cancer ? Search me !!

So if you feel, after reading this item, that this is the treatment you want to consider, I regret you will have to climb a wall of indifference before you get anywhere near your goal. You may have to make a nuisance of yourself by pushing for the treatment. It is only by doing this that eventually it will become a regular alternative choice for many men here in the U.K.

THE METHOD

Small pellets, (seeds), containing radioactive medication called Iodine-125, are permanently implanted into the prostate; there they radiate low level radiation for approximately one year. The implantation procedure does not require a surgical incision. The seeds which are smaller than a grain of rice are carried into the prostate through the skin between the scrotum and rectum by a thin needle. A transrectal ultra sound machine allows the surgeon to guide the needle to the exact position before he releases each seed. Amersham, claim that of some 450 patients followed for up to six years, show a higher percentage of seed implant patients remained disease free compared to men who have had conventional radiotherapy or a complete removal of the prostate.

The advantage of seed implantation is that it is an outpatient treatment taking approx one hour, and a man can resume his normal activities within several days. Amersham also advise that because the seeds are placed directly next to the cancer cells they can deliver up to three times more radiation to the gland area than external radiation therapy which has to use a lower dose to avoid damaging the healthy body tissue. . Although impotence and incontinence can occur using seeds this is considerably lower than with conventional radiotherapy. Urination difficulties are common after the implantation, but these gradually improve and eventually disappear. As can be imagined this minimum invasive method is also well suited to older patients compared to current treatment methods

The PHA anticipate having an article which goes into this method of treatment in greater detail in the next Newsletter.

All the comment on the above product/treatment is the work of the PHA and not the manufacturer who has no control over any statement made.