How long does the procedure take?

The procedure usually takes 90minutes with many patients going home the same day.

Catheter on discharge

There will be some blood in the catheter once discharged home, this is normal and should settle in the next few days before removal of catheter. Your catheter should be connected to a leg bag and the care of the bag will be explained to you by a nurse before discharge.

Going back to work?

Patients can usually resume normal work within 2-3 days.

Are the seeds ever removed?

No, the seeds remain in your prostate for your lifetime and will gradually lose their radioactivity over time, normally within a year of implantation.

The seeds may come out when you go to the toilet. It is unlikely. If a seed does come out, do not touch it. Pick it up using tweezers or tongs and flush it down the toilet. Contact your consultant to let them know.

Do you need to use protection during intercourse after seed implantation

It is safe to have sex and sleep in the same bed as your partner after treatment. For a few months, when having sex you should wear a condom. In some cases radioactive seeds can dislodge and be passed out during ejaculation.

Children and pets sitting on laps of people who have undergone seed implantation

It is recommended that you don’t spend a long time with children or pregnant women for 2 months after treatment. After 2 months the radiation is almost gone. After 4 to 6 months, the radiation level falls very low. It is barely there at all and cannot even be measured on a scan.

Pets are allowed for short periods of a couple of minutes and there are no current studies that have been undertaken with pets.

Flomaxtra or Duodart post seed implantation

The doctor will usually prescribe Flomaxtra post surgery but if you are already on Duodart, continue to take your regular dose.

When can you return to sports or lifting

Sports and lifting can resume when the patient feels comfortable to do so. It is not like an open procedure, so the recovery time is a lot faster.

 Possible side effects following Brachytherapy

Immediately after the procedure patients may have some perineal discomfort and even some bruising for a few days. Patients often experience urinary frequency, urgency, weak stream and nocturia. These effects are most at 4-6 weeks after Brachytherapy and will settle over the following 3-6months. Erectile problems may also occur but is less common with low dose rate Brachytherapy compared to high dose rate brachytherapy. 3-6 months.

MRI scan pre removal of catheter

Before having your catheter removed you will be asked to have a MRI scan done on the morning of appointment with the Drs Nurse. For this scan you a required to fast. They should be in contact with your directly, if not please call the doctors rooms to clarify information. 

Follow up appointment will be within 4-6 weeks

Any questions regarding number of seeds, pathology and MRI scan will be discussed at this appointment as the doctor will need to review your files before seeing you again.

If you have any questions or queries please call the doctors rooms on 7231 0433