Jan 6, 2006

Novel Radiation Therapy Technique For Prostate Cancer

Brachytherapy is using Cesium-131 is a novel radiation therapy technique for the treatment of prostate cancer. Brachytherapy is different from the conventional radiation therapy. In conventional radiation therapy radiation beams are projected in to the area of the body that needs to be treated. In Brachytherapy, the urologist or radiation oncologist puts several radioactive beads in and around the prostate gland. Radiation from the radioactive beads kills or arrests the growth of the cancer with minimal damage to healthy tissue. This helps prevent incontinence and preserve the nerves that allow for erection.

Brachytherapy as such is not a new technique, but the use of Cesium-131 for brachytherapy of prostate cancer is a relatively new development. Cesium-131, which was approved in 2003 by the FDA for use in brachytherapy for prostate cancer and other malignancies, has several advantages over other radioactive isotopes. Compared to Iodine-125 and Palladium-103, which are commonly used alternatives, Cesium-131 has a higher energy, shorter half-life, and uses a lower total dose of radiation.

Compared to Iodine-125 and Palladium-103, it has a higher energy, shorter half-life, and uses a lower total dose of radiation. Cesium-131 has a half-life of about 10 days, compared to a half-life of 17 days and 60 days for Palladium-103 and Iodine-125, respectively. A shorter half-life means faster dose delivery, that cancer cells have less opportunity to repopulate, and less protracted radiation to normal healthy tissues.

Mark      

Do You Read All Of Our Cancer Blogs?

Do you read all of the blogs published by medicineworld.org? Many of our bloggers are busy keeping you updated on the various health related topics. We publish the following blogs at this time.

Cancer blog: I manage the cancer blog with lots of help and support form other bloggers. Through this cancer blog my friends and I try to bring stories of hope for patients with cancer. The cancer blog often republishes important blog posts from other cancer related blogs at Medicineworld.org. If you are searching for a blog that covers wide variety of cancer topics, this may be the one for you.

Breast cancer blog: Breast cancer blog is run by Emily and other bloggers and they bring you the latest stories, news and events that are related to breast cancer. Increasing awareness about breast cancer among women and in the general population is the main goal of this breast cancer blog.

Lung cancer blog: Lung cancer blog is managed by Scott with the help of other bloggers. Through this blog Scott and his friends constantly remind the readers about the dangers of smoking. It's a never-ending struggle against this miserable disease with which a social stigma of smoking is associated.

Colon cancer blog: Colon cancer blog is run by Sue and other bloggers. Sue brings a personal touch to the colon cancer blog since her mother died of colon cancer few years ago. She writes about stories, research news and advances in treatment related to colon cancer.

Prostate cancer blog: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men. American Cancer Society estimates that over 230,000 new cases of prostate cancer occur in the United state every year. This important blog about prostate cancer is run by Mark and other bloggers. This blog brings news, stories, and other personal observations related to prostate cancer.

Medicineworld.org publishes a diabetes watch blog and this blog is run by JoAnn other bloggers. This diabetes watch blog brings you the latest in the field of diabetes. This includes personal stories, advances in diagnosis and treatment, and other observations about diabetes. Improving awareness about diabetes is an important mission of this group.

Janet      

Prostate cancer
The prostate is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum in male. The tube that carries urine runs through the prostate. The prostate contains cells that make some of the seminal fluid. This fluid protects and nourishes the sperm. Prostate cancer usually starts in the gland cells of the prostate. This kind of cancer is known as adenocarcinoma. Prostate cancer is usually a slow disease, but sometimes it can grow fast and spread quickly to other organs.