There are a number of possible side effects that may occur following low dose rate brachytherapy, many of which are temporary and able to be alleviated.

Infection:

Although rare, it is possible to develop a urinary tract infection after low dose rate brachytherapy. The symptoms of a urinary tract infection include: urinary frequency, urgency, painful urination, poor flow and fevers. At the time of discharge you will be given a course of antibiotics to take for 3 days to help prevent this. Should you develop any of these symptoms contact Dr Swindle:

Urinary Retention:

Occasionally patients can have difficulty voiding due to swelling of the prostate and narrowing of the urethra after low dose rate brachytherapy. This can result in the inability to pass urine. A catheter is required to drain the urine and is usually then left in for approximately 10 days. This occurs in 5% of patients undergoing low dose rate brachytherapy. The symptoms of urinary retention are; the inability to pass urine, a constant desire to urinate and intense lower abdominal pain. If this occurs go to you nearest emergency department and contact Dr Swindle.

Sexual Dysfunction:

Low dose rate brachytherapy may affect the quality of erections. Approximately 20-30% of men report some degree of loss of erectile function. This is very variable and depends on the age of the patient and the quality of their erections prior to the brachytherapy. Some men also report a decrease in the intensity of orgasms and a reduction in the semen quantity. There is also a high probability that brachytherapy will make you infertile and unable to father children. It should however not be relied on as contraceptive technique.

Urethral Stricture:

A small number of men develop narrowings of the water pipe (urethra) following brachytherapy. These are commonly referred to as urethral strictures and can be easily dealt with by a minor surgical procedure to open up the urethra. They occur in less than 5% of men undergoing brachytherapy.

Numbness of the penis:

Occasionally men develop numbness of the penis which may last 1 to 2 months. The numbness will resolve on its own and usually requires no specific treatment.

Incontinence:

After a radioactive seed implant, incontinence is rare and occurs in less than 5% of patients.

Is Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy safe for my family?

Radiation from the seed implant kills cells primarily by affecting a critical target in the cell responsible for cell growth. When the cell tries to divide into two cells, or grow, the effects of the radiation on the DNA/RNA prevents the cancer from developing. The radiation that is released by the seeds is almost totally confined to the prostate. Very little radiation is detectable beyond the prostate and even less outside the man.

It is quite safe to sleep in the same bed as your partner. Although the seeds remain radioactive for several months, delivering radiotherapy to your prostate, the energy and activity of the seeds is so low that there is negligible risk of exposure to others and only simple precautions are necessary for the first 2-3 months. It is recommended that the following precautions be observed for the first 3 months following the implant:

Pregnant Women:

It is recommended that pregnant women or women who may be pregnant should not sit in close proximity ie on the same lounge, for more than 5 minutes a day. Normal greetings such as hugging are acceptable and you can spend as much time as you want in the same room as long as you are at a distance.

Children:

Do not sit children on your lap for more than 5 minutes a day. As with pregnant women normal greetings are acceptable and you can spend as long as you want in a room with children provided you are at a distance.

Adults:

There are no restrictions on adult family members, work colleagues or friends.

The seeds that are placed into your prostate are very close to your bladder. During the initial period following the implantation of these seeds, there is a small chance that some of them can migrate into the bladder and pass into the urine stream. For this reason you are requested to strain your urine for the first week following the procedure and collect any seeds that are passed. It this happens contact Dr Swindle immediately so that arrangements can be made for the seeds to be disposed of. The seeds will not cause any interference though it is advisable to carry a medical reference card with you which will be provided by Dr James Mackean.

When to contact Dr Swindle following Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy

Dr Swindle is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week on 0409103333. Never hesitate to call him if you have any concerns or if you feel unwell. He would prefer to be contacted and know if there are any problems. There are certain complications that require emergency medical treatment. If any of the following complications occur, go immediately to the nearest emergency department and once you have sought emergency treatment then contact Dr Swindle or have the medical staff contact Dr Swindle.

• Severe infection: otherwise known as sepsis, is a medical emergency and has the symptoms of fevers, chills, shaking, lethargy, warm skin, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, drowsiness or a general feeling of being unwell. This is an uncommon complication but must be taken seriously if it occurs.
• Bleeding: if you are passing a large amount of blood in your urine or bowel motions or are passing blood clots.
• Difficulty urinating: if you are having trouble passing your urine or have lower abdominal pain.