Intermittent freezing and thawing kills the cancer cells. Long-term results of cryosurgery are unknown. Complications include urinary incontinence, rectal injury, and impotence. Brachytherapy delivers a higher and more focused dose of radiation with fewer side effects and at substantially lower cost than external beam therapy. Brachytherapy is the implantation of tiny, radioactive implants into a cancerous prostate gland.
Radiation emitted by the implants kills the malignant tumor.
Fifty to one hundred rice-sized seeds are implanted by a special needle that is inserted through the perineum and into the prostate. Brachytherapy patients can be discharged the same day and can usually resume normal activity within a day or two. A small proportion, generally those over age 70, experience incontinence or impotence. The radiation kills cancer cells and shrinks tumors. XRT usually is given on an outpatient basis over 7 to 8 weeks.