Brachytherapy with the TheraSeed^® device and its radioactive isotope, palladium-103 (Pd-103), have been the subject of numerous independent studies. This section of the Web site presents summaries of research in a format that can be easily understood. Many of these studies address:

Independent clinical research provides a valuable way to evaluate the effectiveness of a medical treatment, assess its long-term impact and compare different therapeutic options. Researchers gather and analyze data to produce objective results. Physicians -- and sometimes other experts -- review this information to develop conclusions. These reports are often published in medical journals or presented at medical conferences. Many highly regarded studies are published in peer-reviewed journals, in which the report is scrutinized by physicians not involved in the research. We offer synopses of the following studies for review:

	1. 12-YEAR OUTCOMES OF BRACHYTHERAPY WITH Pd-103 COMPARED TO SURGERY: Brachytherapy with Pd-103 produces a biochemical control rate better than or equal to surgery; 12-year research proves superior efficacy for high- and intermediate-risk patients. (Sharkey, et. al., Brachytherapy, 2005)
	2. LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF BRACHYTHERAPY TREATMENT: Up to 12 years after treatment, brachytherapy produces long-term survival rates similar to radical prostatectomy and external beam radiation therapy. (Potters, et. al., Journal of Urology, 2005)
	3. Pd-103 CURE RATE AND COMPLICATIONS COMPARED TO SURGERY: Brachytherapy produces a cure rate as high as surgery, and has a lower rate of complications such as incontinence and impotence. (Sharkey, et. al., Current Urology Reports, 2002)
	4. Pd-103 CURE RATE FOR HIGHER RISK PATIENTS: Pd-103 treatment has a remarkably high cure rate for higher risk prostate cancer patients. (Dattoli, et. al., Cancer, 2003)
	5. BRACHYTHERAPY EFFECTIVENESS, COMPLICATIONS AND DEBUNKING MYTHS: Brachytherapy can be an effective treatment for patients regardless of risk factor or age, and severe urinary or rectal complications are rare. (Merrick, et. al., The Journal of Urology, 2003)
	6. Pd-103 LONG-TERM RESULTS: Nine years following TheraSeed® treatment, 83.5% of patients with a broad spectrum of Gleason scores were free of prostate cancer. (Blasko, et. al., International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology – Physics, 2000)
	7. BRACHYTHERAPY COMPARISON TO SURGERY AND EBRT: Patients with the best profile for a good surgical outcome also are the best candidates for brachytherapy. (Peschel, et. al., The Lancet Oncology, 2003)
	8. BRACHYTHERAPY CURE RATE COMPARED TO OTHER TREATMENTS: Cure rates are similar for localized prostate cancer patients treated with permanent seed implants, surgery, high-dose external beam radiotherapy, and combined permanent seed implants with external beam radiotherapy. (Kupelian, et. al., International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology – Physics, 2004)
	9. Pd-103 COMPLICATIONS COMPARED TO IODINE SEEDS: Patients receiving palladium-based seeds experience significantly fewer complications than those receiving iodine-based seeds. (Peschel, et. al., Radiation Oncology Investigations, 1999)
	10. Pd-103 SIDE EFFECTS COMPARED TO IODINE: Patients treated with Pd-103 recover from radiation irritation sooner than I-125 patients. (Wallner, et. al., The Cancer Journal, 2002)