The implant procedure is done in the operating room and takes approximately two hours. You will receive general anesthesia and will be asleep, lying on your back, with your feet in stirrups. After you are asleep, a urinary catheter, visible on the X-rays, will be inserted through your penis into your bladder to assist with the visualization of the prostate.

Side view of I-125 implant (rotate 90 degree left) For a larger view, Click Here

Utilizing technology to visualize placement of needles into the prostate, efforts are made to re-create the volume study/simulation. Thin, hollow stainless steel needles are inserted throughout the entire prostate through the perineum. After satisfactory placement of needles, according to the pre-implant plan, the radioactive seeds are then passed through the needles into the prostate. The entire process is monitored using fluoroscopy and ultrasound. The needles are removed at the end of the procedure.

Arial view of I-125 implant For a larger view, Click Here

After the implant you will have a urinary catheter. From the operating room you will be escorted to Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit (PACU). From the PACU you will be transported to the Department of Radiation Oncology in the Bodine Center for Cancer Treatment. There you will have a CAT scan to verify the location of the seeds. Once the CAT scan is completed, you will be escorted to your room where you will stay overnight. a parking voucher will be given to you on discharge. The next morning (6:00 am), the urinary catheter will be removed, and after voiding, you will be able to go home.

Please for more information, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions section.

Post-implant analysis (Anterior) Arial CT scan of I-125 implant For a larger view, Click Here

Isodose curves superimposed on prostate Red: prostate contour Yellow: 160 Gy isodose line For a larger view, Click Here