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.
Joint Center for Radiation Therapy, Harvard Medical School, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
I
I
Kaplan
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*