What is radioactive seed localization?
A radioactive seed localization is done by radiology to help your surgeon to locate the area of breast tissue that needs to be removed. o Before your surgery, a radiologist will take pictures of your breast using the mammogram or ultrasound.
Does seed localization hurt?
The seed placement procedure can often be performed with minimal or no discomfort. The radiologist will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area before starting the procedure. The local anesthetic may cause a brief burning sensation before the area becomes numb.
What is a seed placement?
Breast seed localization is a procedure where a tiny metal seed, about the size of a small sesame seed, is placed into abnormal breast tissue to mark its location. It may be done if the abnormal tissue is too small to be seen or felt by hand. The seed contains a small amount of radiation.
How long does a seed placement take?
Using a mammogram or ultrasound for guidance, a breast radiologist uses a thin needle to place a tiny seed into your breast to mark the exact location of the cancer. The procedure will take about 30 minutes.
What does a radioactive seed do?
Implanting permanent radioactive seeds in the prostate is a method of treating cancer. The procedure allows a concentrated dose of radiation to be delivered directly to the prostate cancer, limiting damage to other tissue.
How long do radioactive seeds last?
Anywhere from 40 to 100 seeds are commonly implanted. The implants remain in place permanently, and become biologically inert (no longer useful) after a period of months.
How long do radiation seeds last?
About 100 seeds are commonly implanted. The implants remain in place permanently, and become biologically inert (inactive) after about 10 months. This technique allows a high dose of radiation to be delivered to the prostate with limited damage to surrounding tissues.
How long is recovery from lumpectomy?
Healing time after surgery can range anywhere from a few days to a week. After a lumpectomy without a lymph node biopsy, you’re likely to feel well enough to return to work after two or three days. You can usually resume normal physical activities, like going to the gym, after one week.
What is seed radiation?
A small, radioactive pellet that is placed in or near a tumor. Cancer cells are killed by the energy given off as the radioactive material breaks down and becomes more stable.
Can you be around someone with radiation seeds?
With permanent brachytherapy, the source, such as radioactive seeds, stay in place forever. But the radiation gradually disappears over several weeks or months until the source is no longer radioactive. The radiation doesn’t travel very far from the treatment area. So it is usually safe to be with other people.
Does brachytherapy hurt?
You shouldn’t feel any pain during brachytherapy, but if you feel uncomfortable or have any concerns, be sure to tell your caregivers. Once the radioactive material is removed from your body, you won’t give off radiation or be radioactive.
What are radioactive seeds used for?
Permanent radioactive seed implants are a form of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. The terms “brachytherapy” or “internal radiation therapy” might also be used to describe this procedure. During the procedure, radioactive (iodine-125 or I-125) seeds are implanted into the prostate gland using ultrasound guidance.