Permanent low dose rate (or LDR) therapy involves placing radioactive “seeds” directly into a tumor. Each seed, about the size of a grain of rice, delivers radiation directly to cancer cells. Over time, the radiation kills the tumor. Placing the seeds directly into your tumor limits radiation exposure to healthy surrounding tissues.
When we deliver your radiation, we place you under anesthesia. You won’t feel any pain or discomfort during implantation. Afterward, you may be sore as your small incision heals.
It’s possible to remain radioactive for weeks or even months after treatment, depending on the amount of radiation in your seed implants. Your provider will tell you how long you will be radioactive and provide instructions to keep people around you safe.
After treatment, the seeds lose their strength over time. Eventually, they’re no longer radioactive. As a result, they can safely stay inside your body without needing another surgery to retrieve them. The most used radioisotopes for LDR therapy are Iodine-125, Palladium-103 and Cesium-131.
