possible risk from prostate cancer treatment?

[halfpint]

I'm hoping someone may be able to help. My FIL has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and may be being treated with radiotherapy where 'seeds' are put in internally and left to work. I have been told and have now read that the person concerned should not have close contact with pregnant women or babies for the first two months after they are put in. Has anyone any experience of this? We will have a newborn by then and Iam already worried about how this would make him feel and it is already causing argument between dh and me.

If anyone can help / has a similar experience, I'd be really grateful. Thanks.

[SoupDragon]

Bump!

Anyone?

[hub2dee]

Get FIL to clarify with the consultant ?

[Blandmum]

I don't know, I'm afraid. my dad had 'ordinary' radition treatment. Will have a look an the BACUP site

[Blandmum]

Just found this

'This type of radiotherapy is available in some hospitals in the UK. It is also sometimes called internal radiotherapy, implant therapy or seed implantation. It can be carried out under a general anaesthetic or sometimes using a spinal anaesthetic (epidural). Small radioactive metal ?seeds? are inserted into the tumour so that radiation is released slowly over a period of time. The seeds are not removed but the radiation gradually fades away over about a year and there is no risk of it affecting other people.

About three weeks before the seeds are put into the prostate, a study of the prostate gland will be done (known as a volume study). This is to find the exact size and position of the prostate gland. It is done in the operating theatre and you will need to have an anaesthetic for a short time.

A trans-rectal ultrasound is used to take pictures of the prostate. These provide a three-dimensional model which is then used to decide the number of seeds needed for treatment, and exactly where they should be put. For 24 hours before the volume study you will need to follow a special diet to make sure that the bowel is empty. You will also be given an enema to empty your bowel, so that the ultrasound picture is as clear as possible.

During the day before the seeds are implanted you will also need to have a special diet and have an enema to clear the bowel. The implant procedure takes about one hour. An ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum to show the prostate. Around 80?100 radioactive seeds are then inserted through the skin between the prostate and the anus and guided into the prostate gland. As the procedure may cause some swelling of the prostate, which can sometimes lead to blockage of the urethra, a catheter is temporarily inserted into the bladder to drain urine. This may be removed after a couple of hours or left in place overnight.

Antibiotics are given after the implant, to prevent infection. Most men go home the day after the implant, but some leave hospital as soon as they have recovered from the anaesthetic and are able to pass urine normally. After the implant it is best to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous physical activity for two or three days.

All the radioactivity is absorbed within the prostate and so it is completely safe for you to be with other people. However, women who are (or could be) pregnant and children should not stay very close to you for long periods of time. You should not let children sit on your lap, but can hold or cuddle them for a few minutes each day and it is safe for them to be in the same room.

The seeds stay permanently embedded in the prostate gland, but there is a tiny chance of a single seed being passed in the semen during sexual activity. So it is advisable to use a condom for the first few weeks after the implant. During this time the semen may be coloured black or brown ? this is normal and is due to bleeding that may have occurred during the procedure. Condoms should be disposed of in the dustbin and should be double-wrapped.'

Sorry it is long, but I thought it was all helpful.

Cancer BACUP is a UK charity and their advice is excellent

[mears]

Hospital should give information leaflet. Can you not just ask your FIL to clarify for you. I would have thought that the risk would be minute if at all.

[mears]

Well done MB.

[halfpint]

Thanks MB, and everyone. I would hope that the consultant would tell him but I imagine they will have so many things they wany to ask and I dont want them to think I am being selfish or anything, if I ask them to find out.
I hadn't thought about a hospital leaflet, I'll ask to have a look once they've been.
thanks again for your help everyone.

[hub2dee]

Don't worry about being selfish... I imagine the safety of their grandkids would actually be fairly paramount in their minds !