Doctors Medical Center (DMC) in San Pablo announced that radiation oncologists and urologists at are now performing brachytherapy prostate seed implants, a highly effective treatment for early prostate cancer.  The treatment consists of implanting small radioactive seeds into the prostate, where the seeds deliver a prescribed dose of radiation to kill tumor cells.

The procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia and patients are generally discharged the same day. Prostate seed implants have the added benefit of having limited side effects, which allows patients to return to normal activities rapidly, helping preserve patient quality of life.

"Prostate seed implants is something that every man with newly diagnosed prostate cancer should hear about," said Joseph Poen, M.D., radiation oncologist at DMC's Regional Cancer Center.  "Our team is excited to be able to provide this state of the art, specialized and effective treatment to West County residents.”

Prostate seed implants is the newest service offered at DMC. It was made possible through support from the hospital Service League, which purchased a Stepper, critical equipment required to perform the procedure.

"The volunteers donated the stepper to make seed implants a treatment option for the community," said Pam Moreno, president of the DMC Service League.

"We are pleased knowing that our contribution has given men combating this common cancer the option to obtain this specialized treatment locally."

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Source: http://www.mdnewsbayarea.com/index.cfm/article_76.htm