title: Radioactive iodine-125 implantation for cancer of the prostate.
abstract: Localized cancer of the prostate can be treated by radical prostatectomy, external beam irradiation, or radioactive implantation with similar survival results. Radical prostatectomy, however, almost universally results in impotency, although a new, nerve-sparing procedure may preserve potency in B1 patients. External beam irradiation radiates a large volume of tissue with significant rectal and bladder morbidity, 23-47% risk of impotency, and requires prolonged treatment (6-8 weeks). Radioactive implantation may be done suprapubically or transperineally using iodine-125, gold-198, or radon-222 permanent implantation techniques and iridium-192 or radium-226 removable implantation techniques. Interstitial iodine-125 implantation is frequently employed since it is a short procedure and limits the morbidity to a 7% incidence of impotency, 20% urinary complications, and 5% rectal complications. The overall 5-year survival of patients with iodine-125 is 79%, the survival rate decreasing with increasing T or N stage or increasing grade of tumor.
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology; D014526:Urethritis / Q000209:etiology; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes