Implant therapy is effective in some cases of uterine, prostate and lung cancer. During the time the implant is in place, staff entering the room are exposed to gamma rays and must take precautions. Once the treatment is completed and the implant is removed, the patient is no longer radioactive and presents no hazard. Although breakage of a sealed source is an unlikely occurrence, ingestion of radioactivity is easily prevented by wearing gloves. Minimize your time in the room.
Radiation exposure drops off drastically with increasing distance.
Upon leaving the room, remove gloves and place them in the trash receptacles inside the room. Radiation Safety surveys all materials before they leave the room. In the event a source becomes dislodged, notify the Radiation Oncology resident on call immediately . Do not permit others to enter the room until the source is secured. Do not attempt to handle a dislodged implant or applicator, unless you are specially trained to do so.