Prostate Cancer Care in the Quad Cities

Affecting men of all ages, prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer that impact men over the age of 60. When a diagnosis is found, Trinity offers our patients of the Quad Cities a comprehensive care plan that includes components of surgery, radiation (including radioactive seed implantation) and chemotherapy. In some cases, surgery may be needed, but Trinity offers the robotic prostatectomy for our prostate cancer patients.

Early Detection of Prostate Cancer

Sometimes difficult to detect, knowing your risk factors such as age, diet and overall health, can make a big difference when it comes to early detection and treatment.

Care Coordinators for Prostate Cancer Patients

Our Cancer Center has designated staff on hand to serve as your personal guide, helping you answer questions, make appointments and evaluate your options for prostate cancer treatment.

Radioactive Seed Implantation: Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer Patients

History

Since 2000, Trinity Cancer Center has offered radioactive seed implantation as a treatment for prostate cancer to the Quad Cities community. Traditionally, men with localized prostate cancer had two treatment options, a radical prostatectomy or external beam radiation therapy. At Trinity, more than 350 men have taken advantage of this new therapy and its potential for fewer complications.

Description

Radiation seed implantation is a form of internal radiation. Tiny titanium canisters called "seeds" that carry a radioisotope are implanted into the prostate. The seeds provide a low energy, continuous, radiation of the cancer. With the dose of radiation concentrated in the prostate, surrounding tissues receive less radiation exposure than with traditional prostate cancer treatment.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this treatment is carefully considered by the patient's urologist and radiation oncologist. Some of the considerations are the size of the prostate, the aggressiveness of the tumor, PSA level, the patient's medical history, and quality of life issues. In some cases, radioactive seed implantation is combined with external beam radiation therapy to treat the cancer.

Procedure

The seed implantation is done on a same-day-surgery visit without an overnight hospital stay.

Side Effects

After the implantation, common side effects include a sensation of urinary urgency and burning that usually resolves. The long-term side effects of urine incontinence and impotence occur infrequently with seed implantation.

Outcomes

Follow up remission and survival rates for prostate cancer patients receiving radioactive seed implantation is comparable to surgery and/or external beam radiation therapy. For many men with localized prostate cancer, radioactive seed implantation is a welcomed alternative therapy.

For more information on radiation treatment in the Quad Cities:

Dan Moore, RN
Radiation Therapy Nurse
(309) 779-5090