Brachytherapy Source, Stranded, Iodine-125, Per Source (C2638)

Name of the Procedure:

• Common Name: Brachytherapy with Iodine-125
• Technical/Medical Term: Stranded Brachytherapy Source, Iodine-125

Summary

Brachytherapy with iodine-125 involves placing radioactive seeds directly into or near a tumor to deliver targeted radiation over a period of time. This technique helps in treating various cancers by destroying cancer cells while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.

Purpose

• Medical Conditions Addressed: Primarily used for prostate cancer, but also applicable for other localized cancers.
• Goals: Destroy cancer cells, shrink tumors, and minimize damage to healthy tissue. Expected outcome includes tumor regression and potential remission of cancer.

Indications

• Specific Symptoms/Conditions: Localized prostate cancer, certain types of breast cancer, and other malignancies.
• Patient Criteria: Patients with localized, non-metastatic cancer. Selected based on the tumor's location, stage, and patient's overall health.

Preparation

• Pre-procedure Instructions: Patients may be advised to fast for a few hours before the procedure. Specific medication adjustments, such as stopping blood thinners, might be required.
• Diagnostic Tests/Assessments: Imaging tests like MRI or CT scans to determine the exact location of the tumor. Blood tests and overall health assessment to ensure the patient is fit for the procedure.

Procedure Description

• Step-by-step Explanation:
  1. Patient is positioned and sterilized.
  2. Local or general anesthesia is administered.
  3. Using imaging guidance, a needle or catheter is inserted into the tumor site.
  4. Stranded iodine-125 seeds are placed precisely inside or around the tumor.
  5. Placement is confirmed via imaging, and instruments are removed.
  6. The site is bandaged, and the patient is moved to recovery.
• Tools/Equipment/Technology: Needles, catheters, imaging technology (MRI, CT), iodine-125 seeds.
• Anesthesia Details: Can be local or general anesthesia based on the procedure's extent and patient's comfort.

Duration

• Typically takes about 1 to 2 hours.

Setting

• Performed in a hospital, outpatient clinic, or surgical center with specialized facilities for radiation therapy.

Personnel

• Involves an oncologist or radiation therapist, surgeon, radiologist, nurses, and potentially an anesthesiologist.

Risks and Complications

• Common Risks: Discomfort at the insertion site, minor bleeding, urinary symptoms (if prostate cancer is treated).
• Rare Risks: Infection, unintended radiation exposure to nearby organs, and seed displacement. Complications are managed promptly with medications or additional procedures if necessary.

Benefits

• Directly targets the tumor, minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissues.
• Can lead to tumor shrinkage and potential remission.
• Benefits may be noticeable within a few weeks to months, based on the tumor’s response.

Recovery

• Post-Procedure Care: Rest on the day of the procedure, manage pain with prescribed medication. Follow specific instructions regarding activity levels and wound care if applicable.
• Expected Recovery Time: Most patients resume normal activities within a few days. Follow-up appointments for monitoring the response to treatment and managing any side effects.

Alternatives

• Other Treatment Options: External beam radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy.
• Pros and Cons: Alternatives might require longer treatment cycles or affect more tissues. Brachytherapy offers a more focused approach with potentially fewer side effects.

Patient Experience

• During Procedure: Discomfort during anesthesia administration, minimal to no pain during seed placement due to sedation.
• After Procedure: Mild soreness at the treatment site, urinary symptoms (for prostate cancer), manageable with prescribed pain relief. Radiation exposure is limited to the treated area, reducing overall side effects.

Note: Always consult with your healthcare provider to understand the most suitable treatment option for your specific condition.