Loss of I-125 seeds after perineal implantation of the prostate

Introduction: One of the treatment modalities of early stage prostate cancer is the permanent implantation of I-125 seeds. The aim of this study was to obtain insight in the loss of seeds after implantation. Methods and Materials: During the past 6 years, 100 patients were treated and examined. Radiographs of the prostate area were taken at discharge (after 2 or 3 days) and combined with a follow-up appointment, successively after 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. 10 patients were excluded from this study because of a later performed prostatectomy or TURP. During the hospitalisation period the patient's excrements were examined for lost seeds. Furthermore patients were instructed to urinate through a tea-strainer in the first month following implantation in order to prevent seeds from entering the sewage system. Results: We observed an overall loss of 5% during the entire follow-up period of 2 years. Further analysis of the obtained data showed that most of the seeds (3% of the implanted seeds) were lost in the first 2 days after implantation. Due to special attention paid to safety measures, 94% of the lost seeds were retrieved during the admission period. Because of adequate instructions given to the patients, 70% of the seeds lost during the first month after discharge (0.5% of the total number of remaining implanted seeds) were also retrieved. Losing seeds during the first month after implantation did not increase the chance of further loss later on. A total of 13 seeds (in all patients) was lost after 1 month (of which 6 were lost after more then one year and are for radiation safety reasons not of importance). Conclusions: Most seeds are lost during the first days after implantation. Therefore, radiographs are indicated at discharge, after 1 month (for evaluation of safety precautions) and after 1 year as a conclusion to the treatment