What is brachytherapy, or seed implants, for prostate cancer?

Tiny radioactive seeds, about the size of a grain of rice, are placed inside the prostate through needles, guided by ultrasound. They deliver radiation from inside over weeks to months.

It's usually a single outpatient procedure in our surgery centers.

It may cause urinary symptoms for a while.

It fits certain low- and intermediate-risk cancers.

If you're exploring radiation, ask whether seeds fit you.

Request an appointment at Advanced Urology.

• Is my cancer low or intermediate risk?
• What urinary symptoms should I plan for, and for how long?

Our urologists review your PSA, biopsy and imaging, and may use ultrasound beforehand to plan where the seeds go. Ultrasound is used to plan where each seed goes.

Call us if you are weighing radiation against surgery or monitoring, or if urinary symptoms after seed placement are bothering you.

Our urologists lay out the options for your risk level side by side, including surgery, radiation and active surveillance. After seeds are placed, regular PSA checks show how the cancer is responding.

Bring your questions to our Roswell clinic and surgery center, where our urologists, physician assistants and nurse practitioners can go over them with you in person. Our Roswell team is here when you are ready.

Call 678-344-8900, mention this article, and our team will find you the first opening in Roswell.

Dr. A. Dev Mally of Advanced Urology talks about prostate cancer:

• Watch: Dr. Mally on Prostate Cancer

• What Is an MRI Fusion Prostate Biopsy?
• Medications for an Enlarged Prostate
• Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)

Related care: PSA and prostate cancer care in Roswell.

• Prostate brachytherapy
• Brachytherapy at Advanced Urology

Written by our team at Advanced Urology to help you prepare for your visit.