Procedure Name: Brachy Therapy
Department Responsible for performing Procedure:
GI Lab
Department Contact Information:
(770) 991-8498 (or if the Surgery Dept is doing your procedure, call (770) 991-8150)
Where to Report:
Please enter through the Outpatient Entrance and go to Registration. Plan to arrive 1.5 hours before your scheduled appointment. Even if you have recently been hospitalized, you must register and sign a consent form.
What to Bring:
- Physician Order
- Any forms from your physician relating to this visit
- Your insurance / Medicaid / Medicare card
- Driver's License / Photo Identification
- All of your medications OR a listing of all medications along with the dose, how often you take it, and the last time you took it
- A list of all of your allergies
- Please check with your insurance carrier for any authorization requirements.
- Any films or reports from relevant studies not performed at Southern Regional.
Patient Instructions:
- After registering, you will be directed to the department where the procedure will be done. The nurses will help you get ready for the procedure. You may have someone stay with you while you are waiting.
- You must have someone to drive you home after the procedure. Your escort must be present when you leave the procedure area.
- Follow your doctor's instruction sheet to prepare for your procedure.
- Please read the Procedure Information for additional instructions and information.
- Please follow any other specific instructions given to you by your doctor.
Procedure Information:
Brachy Therapy involves placing radioactive seeds or wires directly into a tumor. Your doctor will insert a device that holds the radioactive sources for the treatment. The radioactive sources are then "loaded." The treatment is timed to deliver a certain dose. The sources may stay in place for minutes, hours or days. For prostate cancer, the implants may be permanent.
For prostate seeds, you will be discharged after about one hour in the recovery room.
For high dose rate therapy, you will be transported to Radiation Therapy. You will be alone in the treatment room until the planned dose is delivered. You must lie still during the treatment.
For longer treatment, you will be in a private hospital room. Staff will place a sign on the door "Caution-Radioactive Materials". The nursing staff will enter your room for short periods of time only, to check on you and take your vital signs. You will be required to stay in bed during the entire treatment. Visitors are limited to about 15 minutes a day. Visitors should maintain a distance of three feet from the bed, unless otherwise instructed. No children under 18 years of age, and no pregnant visitors may visit. When you have received the planned dose, your doctor will remove the radiation source and you will be discharged home.
Additional Information:
None Currently Available