ISOTOPES

For permanent implants we use I-125 and palladium 103 that send out low energy photons and concentrate an intense dose in organs with a capsule such as the prostate. With this technique we treat slow growth and well or moderately differentiated prostate tumours and 2-6 Gleason's index tumours. We use I-125 which provides 90% of its radioactivity in 6 months and it is practically inert after a year.

A matrix like the one in the photograph serves as a guide to introduce the needles charged with the seeds deposited in the exact place inside the prostate.

PATIENTS

We select patients:

A.- with a prostatic low growth localised tumour:
-Tumoral stage T1-T2.
-Less than 10 PSA
-2-6 Gleason
B.- who do not present metastasic evidence: This is confirmed when the ACT is negative for lymph nodes and when the isotopic osseous scanner is negative for metastasis.
C.- who present favourable characteristics which provide a better achievement of the technique:
-No previous transrectal resection.
-Prostatic volume less than 40cc. With a 3 to 6 months hormonal treatment we rescue patients with a higher prostatic volume.

Ideal Model of the distribution of seeds inside the prostate in a planning STUDY.