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Seeds Or IMRT?

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Last Modified: February 21, 2011

Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"

I am going to have radiation for prostate cancer. I have been offered seeds and IMRT. Is one better than the other?

John Christodouleas, MD, Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at Penn Medicine, responds:

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to the question: are seeds or IMRT better? The answer depends on numerous factors including: the extent of tumor (T stage, Gleason score, PSA), prostate size, and a patient's other medical problems. If your radiation oncologist feels both are reasonable, then one could reasonably make a decision based on the logistical differences of treatment. Seeds are a more intense experience, but take less time overall since IMRT is generally given daily over 5-9 weeks.

This question and answer was part of the OncoLink Brown Bag Chat Series. See the full transcript of Prostate cancer treatment: where are we now?