High Dose Rate (HDR) Prostate Brachytherapy
In High Dose Rate
(HDR) Prostate Brachytherapy, a much higher activity
radioactive source is used. Blind ended radioactive catheters
(needles) are placed into the prostate gland under either spinal or general
anesthesia and left in place while the patient is hospitalized overnight.
After the
needles are placed, X-rays are taken to verify the position of the needles
and assist the physician in defining precisely where the radiation will be
delivered. A 3-Dimensional prostate volume and individualized
treatment
plan is then generated to deliver a precise dose of radiation to the
prostate gland and programmed into the computer. When the patient is
brought to the Radiation Oncology department, the implant needles are
connected to the HDR machine. This high activity source is welded onto
the end of a cable which is a component of the HDR Remote Afterloading
System. Through a computerized system, the radioactive source is then
directed into each of the catheters, one at a time, and dwells in
predetermined positions for predetermined times to give the prescribed dose.
After the treatment, the system automatically returns the radioactive
source into the protective storage unit of the remote afterloading machine.
This process is repeated for a total of 3-4 treatments depending on the
dosage prescribed.
After all HDR treatments are delivered, the catheters are removed from the prostate gland and the patient may resume normal activities. There is no residual radioactivity left in the patient when he goes home.
High Dose Rate
Brachytherapy has significantly reduced the treatment time to merely
minutes, and has the capability of sophisticated conformation of dose to the
prostate gland while limiting the dose to the surrounding normal tissues.
