Understanding Brachytherapy Treatment For Prostate Cancer

March 16 2019 , Written by Ankita Mathur Published on #Brachytherapy in India, #average cost of brachytherapy in India, #brachytherapy advantages India, #brachytherapy alternatives, #brachytherapy centres in india, #brachytherapy cost in india, #brachytherapy treatment cost in india, #Brachytherapy Treatment for Prostate Cancer, #brachytherapy procedure for prostate cancer, #Brachytherapy Success Rate for Prostate Cancer, #Cost of Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer, #brachytherapy for prostate cancer recovery time

Overview

The prostate, a part of the reproductive system in men, is in the form of a small gland below the bladder in front of rectum. It surrounds urethra which is the passage in the penis through which urine and semen pass.

Prostate produces fluid that makes up semen which enriches and protects sperm. The prostate muscles contracts during ejaculation and squirts its fluid into urethra. Prostate is of a walnut or an apricot size and grows with the age which may pose hindrance in urinating. As a normal process of body, growth of body cells is controlled and cells die to be replaced by new ones. But when abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells of prostate glands occurs, prostate cancer may develop.

The development of prostate cancer is usually slow and may remain within the prostate gland. But in many cases, prostate cancer may grow more rapidly and can sometimes cause problems in passing urine. The cancer cells can also spread outside the prostate to other parts of the body which is termed as advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.

For treatment of prostate cancer a multiple-disciplinary team of doctors that includes oncologists, surgeons and radiation oncologists, work together to create treatment plan. However, for men with low-risk prostate cancer, doctors often choose an active treatment plan and consider low-dose-rate brachytherapy.

Brachytherapy Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Brachytherapy is a type of radiotherapy in which a radioactive source is placed directly into or next to the organ or tissue with cancer in it. In case of prostate cancer, depending upon individual case, either brachytherapy with low dose rate (LDR) or high dose rate (HDR) can be chosen by oncologist.

‘Dose rate’ is not the actual dose but refers to the speed at which the dose is delivered. In LDR brachytherapy also known as permanent ‘seed implant’ of radioactive sources i.e. seeds are inserted directly into the prostate. The ‘seeds’ produce a localized radiation to the entire prostate to destroy the cancer cells.

HDR brachytherapy also involves placement of radioactive material directly into the prostate. Unlike LDR seeds, placement of radioactive material is temporary and for shorter periods, usually for one or two days at a time.

HDR brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer may require more time in hospital than LDR brachytherapy.

Cost of Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer

Estimates of the cost of treating prostate cancer vary widely. However, India is one of the most favored nations for brachytherapy treatment as it offers the treatment at a fraction of the cost charged in hospitals in the western countries.

How successful is Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer?

Brachytherapy is considered as a successful mode of treatment for prostate cancer. The clinical response and researches have concluded that for low risk patients, brachytherapy was as successful as external beam radiation. However, brachytherapy has been found to be more successful than radical prostatectomy.

Brachytherapy Success Rate for Prostate Cancer

The success rates of brachytherapy in patients with low risks have been reported to be very high and encouraging, closely followed by patients with intermediate risk.

Brachytherapy has also been found to produce satisfactory outcome among high risk patients. However, brachytherapy when combined with external beam radiation therapy in intermediate and high risk patients, the results far exceeded than those of surgery.

How can Indian Med Guru Consultant assist you?

Since, brachytherapy for various surgeries involves placement of radioactive material inside or near cancer tissue or organ, it not only requires experienced specialists but also ultra modern infrastructure and hi-tech equipments.

For international patients coming for brachytherapy treatment to India, Indian Med Guru Consultants play a significant role in arranging treatment at best brachytherapy centers in India. The company helps in arranging medical visa, accommodation, appointment with doctors and fixing treatment packages at most cost effective way and promotes medical tourism in India. Flight ticket bookings, foreign currency and language translator arrangements can also be done if required.