Minimizing rectal and urinary complications in prostate brachytherapy.
With any therapy for early prostate cancer, control must be evaluated with a view to toxicities. Brachytherapy may be associated with urethral and rectal toxicity and erectile impotence. Patients with large glands or significant symptoms before treatment are at greatest risk. Long-term toxicity can be minimized by understanding the tolerance of the normal tissues and meticulous placement of the radioactive seeds.
Kaplan
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Joint Center for Radiation Therapy, Harvard Medical School, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*