Prostate brachytherapy has been the subject of heated debate among surgeons and the proponents of the various brachytherapy methods. This very first interdisciplinary book on the subject provides a comprehensive overview of innovations in low dose rate (LDR), high dose rate (HDR), and pulsed dose rate (PDR) interstitial brachytherapy for the management of local or locally advanced prostate cancer. In addition to detailed chapters on patient selection and the use of imaging in diagnostics, treatment guidance, and implantation control, background chapters are included on related medical physics issues such as treatment planning and quality assurance. The results obtained with the different treatment options and the difficult task of salvage treatment are fully discussed. All chapters have been written by internationally recognized experts who for more than a decade have formed the teaching staff responsible for the successful GEC-ESTRO/EAU Prostate Brachytherapy Teaching Course.

Epidemiology of prostate cancer

Imaging localized prostate cancer
TRUS volume study imaging for brachytherapy, patient set up and optimize of imaging
Patient selection and recommendations on permanent seed implantation for localized prostate cancer
Patient selection and recommendations on HDR
Seed techniques
HDR techniques
PDR techniques
Imaging for post-implant dosimetry
Pre-planning for permanent implantation
Intra-operative seed planning
Intra-operative HDR planning
Seeds versus HDR
Post-implant dosimetry
Incidence and prognostic factors for complication
Clinical implications of DVH analysis
QA for brachytherapy
Management of side effects and complications
Radiation protection issues
Results of seed treatment
HDR results
PDR results
Salvage treatment.