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Genitourinary Cancer
Hospital  >  Care Programs  >  Odette Cancer Program  >  Genitourinary cancer care  >  Prostate cancer care  >  Patient education for prostate cancer  >  High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy  >  What do I need to know about my brachytherapy treatment?
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What do I need to know about my brachytherapy treatment?

  • When you get to the Odette Cancer Centre please check in at the Ground Floor Radiation Therapy reception desk.
  • A Nurse will get you ready for the treatment and start an intravenous (IV).
  • You will be brought into the treatment room where the Anaesthetist will put you to sleep.
  • The treatment is done with you asleep under anesthetic. You will not have any pain during the treatment.
  • A catheter will be put into your bladder. It will be taken out after your treatment.
  • An ultrasound probe will be put into the rectum to help insert the plastic needles into your prostate.

Seeds inserted into the prostate under ultrasound guidance through the skin between the scrotum and anus.
Ultrasound in rectum to guide needle placement

Radiation Therapist connects treatment machine to needles
Radiation Therapist connects treatment machine to needles

  • The plastic needles will be connected to a radiation machine through which the treatment will be given.
  • The radiation treatment usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
  • After the treatment the needles will be taken out and you will wake up.
  • You will go to the recovery room for 1 to 2 hours until you are ready to go home.
  • The bladder catheter will be taken out before you leave.
  • A Nurse will tell you about what you need to do at home before you leave the hospital.

Ultrasound showing Prostate in red and radiation dose levels
Ultrasound showing Prostate in red and radiation dose levels

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