By Dr. Andrew Loblaw, Chair, PCF
Based on a consensus agreement of Canadian prostate radiation specialists, “seed” brachytherapy (or internal radiation) should be offered to patients with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer. Brachytherapy is a highly effective, outpatient, minimally invasive procedure that can be given as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with external beam radiation (Morris J et al, 2013; Morris J et al, 2015; Smith GD et al, 2015).
Not all men are candidates for brachytherapy, due to pre-existing medical conditions, enlarged prostates, and/or poor urinary function. Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) is a non-invasive pinpoint radiotherapy technique that appears to be as effective as brachytherapy (Loblaw A et al, 2014) but with better quality of life (Helou J et al 2015). SABR can also be given to many men who can’t have brachytherapy.
Based on a consensus agreement of Canadian prostate radiation specialists, “seed” brachytherapy (or internal radiation) should be offered to patients with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer. Brachytherapy is a highly effective, outpatient, minimally invasive procedure that can be given as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with external beam radiation (Morris J et al, 2013; Morris J et al, 2015; Smith GD et al, 2015).
Not all men are candidates for brachytherapy, due to pre-existing medical conditions, enlarged prostates, and/or poor urinary function. Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) is a non-invasive pinpoint radiotherapy technique that appears to be as effective as brachytherapy (Loblaw A et al, 2014) but with better quality of life (Helou J et al 2015). SABR can also be given to many men who can’t have brachytherapy.
RSS Feed
