You have received therapeutic implants that contain low-level radioactivity. The radioactivity of these implants will diminish over the next several months. Over this time, your prostate will receive therapeutic radiation from these implants and there will some low level radiation emitted from your body. This radiation level is low at 1 meter from you and drops off quickly with distance. For your own personal health and protection of members of your family/public around you during the next 6 months, it is strongly recommended that you adhere to the following directives—

1. Avoid any vigorous exercise or strenuous activity that puts pressure on your pelvis for 3 to 4 days after therapy. Activities such as bicycle riding or horseback riding should be avoided for 6 months.
2. Refrain from sexual intercourse for 2 to 3 weeks after the operation. We recommend couples use condoms for the first 2 occasions to prevent the discharge of any blood or radioactive seed into your partner. Please remember to dispose of the used condom in the toilet.
3. Avoid prolonged physical contact with your relatives, friends and especially pregnant women or young children for the first 6 months (I-125) or 2 months (Pd-103) after your procedure. In general, stay at least 1 meter away from other people. This will help reduce the already low levels of radiation exposure to other people.
4. If you find a small metal pellet-like seed in your urine, flush the toilet and remember to inform your physician at your next visit to the clinic/hospital.
5. If you find a small metal seed in your bed, pick it up with tweezers and dispose of it in the toilet. Remember to inform the physician on your next clinic visit.

Potential Problems after Prostate Brachytherapy

1. Difficulty with urination. This may include difficulty starting urination, frequency, or burning with urination. You will be given medication to help with these symptoms. If you cannot urinate despite these medications, a urinary catheter may be required temporarily. Please contact the Urologist on call (934-3411) if you experience problems at night or on the weekend. You will probably need to come to the ER to have a catheter placed. If you live outside the Birmingham/Jefferson County area, cannot void, and travel is not an option, please go to your local ER or call the local urologist. Have a catheter placed for relief, and call UAB to inform someone of the problem.
2. Mild pain where the needles were placed. You will be prescribed pain medication and you should take the medication as directed. If the pain persists, and does not respond to the medication, please contact the Urologist on call and inform the urologist that you have undergone seed implantation, and are in need of other medication to alleviate the pain.
3. Constipation. The pain medication may cause some constipation and you may need to use a stool softener for bowel movements. Colace is an effective treatment for this. Other recommendations may be taken from the local pharmacist.
4. Bladder Infection. The catheter inserted for the seed implant procedure may cause some minor infection. There is only a small risk of infection for this procedure. You will receive antibiotics to help prevent bladder infection.
5. Blood in Urine/Semen. You may experience some blood in the urine and/or semen due to the seed implants. This is normal in the first few days after treatment. With an adequate intake of fluids, the blood will clear up within the first 3 to 4 days. Blood should not be excessive.

If you have questions and concerns, please contact Radiation Oncology, UAB Division of Urology, or the UAB Radiation Safety Office.

Radiation Oncology—Dr. John Fiveash, M.D., (934-5670)

Dr. Robert Kim, M.D.

Dr. Roger Ove, M.D.

UAB Urology—Dr. Anton Bueschen, M.D., (975-0088)

Dr. Donald Urban, M.D.

Urologist on call—(934-3411)

UAB Radiation Safety Office—Bill Bass (934-4751)