Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy where radioactive sources are placed directly inside or very close to the prostate gland. Also known as internal radiation therapy, seed implants, or interstitial radiation therapy, this approach delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the cancer while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. There are two main types: Low-Dose-Rate (LDR) brachytherapy using permanent radioactive seeds, and High-Dose-Rate (HDR) brachytherapy using temporary radioactive sources. LDR is more commonly used for prostate cancer. The procedure involves placing 80-120 tiny radioactive seeds (about the size of rice grains) directly into the prostate through needles inserted through the skin between the scrotum and rectum, guided by ultrasound imaging.