Basic and Advanced Techniques in Prostate Brachytherapy

Prostate brachytherapy (transperineal interstitial implantation of the prostate with either permanent or temporary radioactive sources) has evolved into a sophisticated and definitive treatment modality, used either as monotherapy or in combination with external beam radiation therapy for the definitive treatment of prostate cancer. This popular form of therapy is frequently integrated with neoadjuvant and/or concurrent androgen suppression therapy in the intermediate and advanced risk patient. This book covers both basic and advanced techniques for prostate brachytherapy and is appropriate for the practitioner either anticipating or currently performing permanent radioactive seed implants. A partial list of topics includes: patient selection, equipment decisions, treatment planning, operative technique, post-implant evaluation, management of acute/long term treatment related effects and follow-up after implant. A unique feature of this book is the addition of a CD-ROM. The CD contains QuickTime Movies that cover aspects of: pre-implant treatment planning, intraoperative positioning, ultrasound, treatment planning (permanent and temporary implants), patient positioning, needle placement, pre-loaded needles and use of a Mick applicator. This book is targeted for practitioners of prostate brachytherapy-urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and medical physicists. Drs. Dicker, Merrick, Gomella, Waterman and Valicenti and a panel of outstanding urologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, nurses and radiologists, comprehensively review in detail all aspects of prostate brachytherapy, with particular attention to practical techniques and issues that can be incorporated into daily practice. The authors also review timely issues regarding urodynamics, quality-of-life, and methods to evaluate the quality of permanent implants with specific recommendations. Up-to-date and highly practice-oriented, Basic and Advanced Techniques in Prostate Brachytherapy offers, frontline urologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and medical oncologists, a comprehensive, approach using prostate brachytherapy.