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Brachytherapy seed, best industries iodine 125

HCPCS code

Brachytherapy Seed, Best Industries Iodine-125 (C1803)

Name of the Procedure:

Common Names: Iodine-125 Seed Implantation, Internal Radiation Therapy
Technical/Medical Terms: Brachytherapy using Iodine-125, Prostate Seed Implant, Brachytherapy Seed, Best Industries I-125

Summary

Brachytherapy with Iodine-125 involves placing radioactive seeds directly into or near a tumor to deliver targeted radiation therapy. These seeds emit radiation over time, directly affecting cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Purpose

Medical Conditions Addressed: Prostate cancer, certain types of head and neck cancers, other localized tumors
Goals/Expected Outcomes: Destroy cancer cells, shrink tumors, prevent cancer recurrence, minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Indications

Symptoms/Conditions: Diagnosed localized tumors, predominantly prostate cancer, potentially early-stage or low to intermediate-risk prostate cancer.
Patient Criteria: Good general health, early-stage localized cancer, non-metastatic cases, patients ineligible for surgery, or those choosing brachytherapy as opposed to external beam radiation therapy.

Preparation

Instructions:

  • Fasting 6-8 hours before the procedure
  • Adjusting medications as directed by a healthcare provider
  • Pre-procedure imaging tests (CT scans, MRI)
    Assessments/Tests:
  • Blood tests
  • Imaging studies for precise tumor localization

Procedure Description

  1. Anesthesia and Sedation: Administered local or general anesthesia
  2. Preparation: Patient positioned on the treatment table
  3. Imaging: Use ultrasound, CT, or MRI for accurate seed placement
  4. Seed Implantation: A needle or catheter places I-125 seeds in/near the tumor
  5. Confirmation: Imaging ensures precise placement of seeds

Tools/Equipment: Radioactive iodine-125 seeds, needles/catheters, ultrasound/CT/MRI machines.

Duration

Typically takes about 1-2 hours.

Setting

Usually performed in a hospital operating room or outpatient surgical center.

Personnel

Involved Professionals:

  • Radiation oncologist
  • Medical physicist
  • Radiologist
  • Surgeon (if necessary)
  • Nursing staff
  • Anesthesiologist (if general anesthesia is used)

Risks and Complications

Common Risks: Mild pain, swelling, discomfort around the implantation site, urinary symptoms
Rare Risks: Infection, bleeding, unintended radiation exposure to surrounding tissues, seed migration

Benefits

Expected Benefits: Effective tumor control, minimal damage to surrounding tissues, fewer side effects compared to external beam radiation, shorter recovery time. Benefits may be realized within weeks to months post-treatment.

Recovery

Post-Procedure Care:

  • Pain management with prescribed medications
  • Avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activities for a few days
  • Regular follow-up appointments for monitoring Recovery Time: Typically a few days to a week, varies per individual

Alternatives

Other Options: External beam radiation therapy, radical prostatectomy, hormone therapy, active surveillance
Pros/Cons of Alternatives:

  • External Beam Radiation: Less invasive but longer treatment duration
  • Radical Prostatectomy: Complete cancer removal but higher risk of urinary/sexual dysfunction
  • Hormone Therapy: Non-invasive, systemic side effects
  • Active Surveillance: No immediate treatment but regular monitoring needed

Patient Experience

During the procedure, due to anesthesia, the patient will be comfortable and might feel minimal discomfort post-procedure. Post-implantation, transient discomfort, and urinary symptoms are common, which are managed with prescribed painkillers and follow-up care. Patient comfort is prioritized with most discomfort subsiding in a few days.

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