Читать книгу The Cancer Directory - Dr. Daniel Rosy - Страница 119

This is being used for prostate cancer that has been detected early and not spread beyond the gland. In this case, tiny radioactive ‘seeds’ or pellets, containing radioactive iodine, are implanted directly into the middle of the cancer via thin needles, where they will keep on giving off radiation for up to a year. Up to a hundred pellets are implanted through the skin, under either a spinal or general anaesthetic.

The radioactivity of the pellets slowly decays during the months after the operation; few long-term risks have been reported with this treatment.