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What will I feel like after the procedure?
The procedure causes minimal trauma to the region beneath the scrotum, yet there can be some tenderness, bruising or swelling. Most patients require only over-the-counter pain medications. While some may be tired and want to relax, others feel like engaging in routine activities. As with all medical procedures, patient response varies.

When can I return to work?
Most men receiving TheraSeed^® treatment return to routine activities -- including work and exercise -- within two to three days. Brachytherapy with the TheraSeed^® device offers considerable benefits when compared to radical prostatectomy with an average recovery time of up to eight weeks.

What short-term side effects can I expect?
Soreness and swelling usually go away after a few days. Some men may have blood in their urine for several days following the procedure. A small percentage may experience rectal irritation or bleeding. Others may feel discomfort while urinating or the need to urinate more frequently. The most commonly reported side effects are short-term urinary or obstructive symptoms within the first few weeks after the implant procedure. Some men may experience slight pain or blood in their semen during the first few ejaculations after the procedure.

These symptoms usually begin one to two weeks after implantation and gradually decrease over time as the seeds lose their radioactive strength. Drinking fluids and avoiding alcohol and caffeine may help, or a doctor can provide prescriptions to relieve these symptoms. For some men, nighttime urination will be more difficult because there may be slightly greater swelling of the prostate at night. Often, walking around relieves this problem.

Do I need to take special precautions after getting radioactive seed implants?
Patients are not radioactive after this procedure. Because radioactivity in seeds is so low and placement so precise, virtually all radiation is absorbed into the prostate. However, a doctor may recommend special precautions when a patient is in contact with small children or pregnant women during the first few months following treatment. On the other hand, the risk to pets from sitting on a patient's lap is extremely low. In addition, a patient may resume sexual activity shortly after the procedure, but his doctor may recommend avoiding sex or using a condom for the first few days in case a seed is ejaculated.

Will I need additional treatment after brachytherapy?
As long as a patient's prostate cancer responds well to treatment, additional therapy is rarely necessary. There is no need to remove the tiny seeds once they lose their radioactivity because the capsules are made of titanium, a material compatible with body tissues.

How will I know whether the procedure was effective?
After treatment, the urologist and radiation oncologist perform follow-up tests, usually every three to six months for the first five years. These tests may include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and blood tests to measure PSA levels. A periodic ultrasound also may be performed to monitor progress. Malignant cells absorb the radiation, which damages the DNA and prevents them from dividing, thus causing cell death. Since prostate cancer cells often divide slowly, it may take a while for a PSA level to drop.

If the seed implants don't work, what treatment options are available?
In the event that brachytherapy does not cure a patient's prostate cancer, several treatment options are available including a second seed implant procedure, external beam radiation therapy, cryosurgery and salvage prostatectomy.