FIRST PROSTATE BRACHYTHERAPY TREATMENT

The first brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer was performed at the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Krakow. This innovative use of irradiation allows patients to avoid surgery and gives them a good chance of recovery.

The first procedure was performed on September 6, 2016. The patient who underwent prostate brachytherapy at the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center was 65 years old. The procedure was performed under spinal anesthesia. The patient received one fraction of radiation. Brachytherapy will be supplemented with teleradiotherapy using arc techniques.

Brachytherapy for prostate cancer involves temporarily placing a radioactive element within this organ. The precision of the procedure is extremely important here, as it allows the protection of organs critical to the functioning of the body - the urethra, bladder and rectum.

In the urology department of the Specialist Hospital. L. Rydygier in Krakow, approximately 70 prostate removal operations are performed annually. At the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center, patients with prostate cancer undergo classic radiotherapy, which can be a complementary method to surgery or constitute an independent therapy. So far, classic radiotherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer (in which the source of radiation is located some distance from the patient) has been used in 581 patients.

Globally, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer. It is estimated that 899 people are diagnosed with it annually. men in the world, and the number of deaths reaches 258 thousand. cases. In Poland, prostate cancer accounts for 15%. cancer incidence in men. In 2013, over 12 cases were recorded throughout the country. cases (data from the National Cancer Registry). Over the last three decades, the number of cases has increased fivefold.