About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men (after skin cancer), but it can often be treated successfully. Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control. Almost all prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas. These cancers develop from the gland cells of the prostate, and while some rare types grow quickly, most grow slowly and are highly treatable, especially when detected early.
Treatment for Prostate Cancer
If you have been diagnosed or suspect you may have prostate cancer, you have several options for prostate cancer treatment. Because it is typically slow growing, for instance, your doctor may recommend observation or active surveillance. Other treatments for prostate cancer may include surgery, cryotherapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or some combination of these therapies, depending on how advanced the cancer is. Another highly effective form of treatment for prostate cancer performed at Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology is prostate seed implantation.
Prostate Seed Implants in Tampa
Radiation therapy seed implantation, also called brachytherapy, is a highly effective form of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. The procedure involves implanting radioactive seeds, each about the size of a grain of rice, into the prostate gland using ultrasound guidance. Prostate seed implants emit radiation that travels only a few millimeters inside the body to attack the cancer cells effectively. The technique allows a high dose of radiation to be delivered to the prostate with limited damage to surrounding tissues.
The number of seeds and their placement is determined by a computer-generated treatment plan tailored for each patient. About 100 seeds are commonly implanted, and brachytherapy treatment has proven to be safe and effective, with a reduced risk of some long-term side effects. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis, and the implants stay in place permanently but become inactive after about 10 months. Prostate seed implants are often much more convenient than external radiation therapy, which can require up to seven-and-a-half weeks of daily treatments.
Contact Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology today for more information about prostate seed implants, brachytherapy treatment or to schedule a procedure. Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology has multiple Florida facilities located in the Tampa Bay area in Tampa, FL and Brandon, FL.