ABSTRACT
Over the past decade, prostate brachytherapy has been increasingly utilized as definitive management for early stage carcinoma of the prostate gland. One risk of the procedure is pulmonary seed embolization. In this article we report the incidence and timing of seed migration. Pulmonary embolization of radioactive seeds occurs in approximately 20% of patients undergoing prostate brachytherapy. To date, no acute or delayed detrimental effects have been reported which are attributable to the pulmonary embolization of the seeds; nevertheless, it is imperative that patients and health care providers be cognizant of this possible event.
Subject(s)
Brachytherapy/adverse effects , Foreign-Body Migration/complications , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Pulmonary Embolism/etiology , Aged , Brachytherapy/methods , Foreign-Body Migration/diagnosis , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnosis , Radiography , Risk Factors , X-RaysABSTRACT
Nearly all patients experience some degree of urinary irritative or obstructive symptoms following brachytherapy for definitive treatment of early-stage prostate cancer. The American Urological Association (AUA) Symptom Index is a tool developed to measure urinary function and can be incorporated into postoperative nursing management. When this questionnaire is administered at regular intervals following surgery, the patient's urinary status can be assessed quickly and treatment changes made according to symptoms, with resultant improvement in comfort levels. The postoperative use of the AUA index is recommended for all nurses who care for patients undergoing prostate brachytherapy.
