Seeing Is Believing: Bringing LDR Brachytherapy Seeds to Life for Patients Undergoing Prostate Cancer Treatment

When Dr. William Keough shared how valuable it would be for patients to see the size of the low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy seeds used in prostate cancer treatment, his message resonated deeply with our team. We recognised the importance of transforming complex medical concepts into something tangible for patients and, inspired by Dr. Keough’s insight, we set out to create the Patient Seed Card. This innovative card not only includes safe, non-radioactive demonstration seeds to illustrate their miniature scale, but it also provides clear, accessible prostate cancer LDR brachytherapy explained for patients – covering how the treatment works, its effectiveness, and the many advantages it offers.

Patient education
We’re proud to feature the information provided on our Patient Seed Card, ensuring the message is easily accessible and understood by patients considering low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy. Each statement on the card is carefully crafted and supported by rigorous scientific evidence.

Below, you’ll find a copy of the card from the card with the reference below it. This ensures complete transparency and empowers patients and healthcare professionals alike to explore the research underpinning the effectiveness and advantages of LDR brachytherapy.

What is Low Dose Rate (LDR) Brachytherapy?
Targeted radiotherapy using multiple seeds culminating to form a high concentrated dose placed directly into your prostate to treat cancer¹.

How effective is it?

LDR brachytherapy works as well as surgery or external radiotherapy for suitable patients, with high cure rates for localised prostate cancer².

What are the advantages?

Most men retain their erections^3,4 and long-term urinary incontinence is a rare occurance⁴. You may notice a change with your bowels, but the effects improve over time⁵.

Who can have this treatment?

Most suited to patients with localised prostate cancer and few urinary symptoms. You may be offered a combined treatment with external beam radiotherapy if your cancer has locally advanced or is seen as high-risk¹.

The card is available for patients in the UK and Ireland. If you would like to some of our cards, please complete your details on our contact us page.

References:

Evolution of brachytherapy for prostate cancer. Zaorsky N G, Davis B J, Nguyen P L, et al. Nat Rev Urol. 2017 June 30; 14(7): 415-439
The oncologic and safety outcomes of low-dose-rate brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. Nobumichi Tanaka. Prostate International 11 (2023) 127-133
Novel prostate brachytherapy technique: improved dosimetric and clinical outcome. Nobes J, Khaksar S, Hawkins M, et al. Radiother Oncol 2008 Jul:88(1):121-6.
Quality of life in patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy compared with those who underwent low-dose-rate brachytherapy. Yasushi Nakai, Nobumichi Tanaka, Isao Asakawa et al. NIH, 2023 May; 83*7):701-712.
Biochemical Control and Toxicity Outcomes of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Versus Low-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy in the Treatment of Low- and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer. E. Gogineni, Z.H. Rana, H. Cai et al, International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Volume 108, Issue 3, Supplement, E862 November 01, 2020

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