Facing Prostate Cancer

Washington Adventist Hospital's Department of Radiation Oncology is the first facility to offer this type of cancer treatment in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. At Washington Adventist Hospital, we are committed to our patient's total care, which means we merge high-tech equipment with a personal touch.

Patients referred to the Radiation Oncology Department receive prompt attention and careful treatment planning. One of the exciting programs offered by the Radiation Oncology Department is Prostate Seed Implant, an innovative treatment for prostate cancer.

Q. What is prostate cancer?

A. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells are found in the prostate. As men age, their chances of developing prostate cancer increase, especially after the age of 50. In fact, more than 80 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65, according to the American Cancer Society.

Q. How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

A. Prostate cancer is typically screened using two tests: a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. During a digital rectal exam, a physician checks the patient’s prostate gland for any abnormalities. A PSA blood test measures the PSA protein produced by the prostate. If either test is positive, the patient should have a biopsy to confirm for diagnosis of cancer.

Q. Once diagnosed, what are the treatment options for prostate cancer?

A. Traditionally, men with prostate cancer have radical prostate surgery, external beam radiation or internal radiation, through the implantation of radioactive seeds.

Q. What are Radioactive Seed Implants?

A. Tiny pellets, smaller than a grain of rice, which contain radioactive seeds are implanted directly into the prostate to treat prostate cancer. They give off low-energy radiation on a continual basis to destroy the cancer. The seeds are carefully positioned so that the radiation is distributed evenly throughout the prostate gland.

Q. How do radioactive seed implants compare to other forms of treatment for prostate cancer?

A. Radical surgery is a major operation requiring a long recovery and may include side effects such as impotence and incontinence. External beam radiation requires daily treatment for seven to eight weeks. In comparison, radioactive seed implants only require a one-time outpatient treatment.

Q. Are other organs affected by the radiation from the seeds?

A. No. Radioactive seeds are implanted into the prostate only. The surrounding normal tissue such as bladder and rectum are usually not affected.

Q. Does the implant require a surgical procedure?

A. No. A thin needle containing radioactive seeds is inserted into the prostate gland through the perineum (the skin between the scrotum and rectum). It drops the seeds, and is then removed.

Q. What are the advantages of radioactive seed implant therapy?

A. According to Chan K. Chung, M.D., Chairman of the Radiation Oncology Department at Washington Adventist Hospital, there are practical and theoretical advantages over the other treatments:

• Radioactive seeds can deliver significantly higher radiation doses to the prostate gland without affecting adjacent normal tissue. This potentially provides better tumor control than external beam radiotherapy in selected cases.
• Seed implantation is convenient for the patient, normally requiring a one-time outpatient procedure.
• There is a lower risk of side effects such as impotence and incontinence, as compared to radical surgery.
• The long term, ten-year treatment outcome is comparable to radical surgery.

Q. What types of specialists are on staff at Washington Adventist Hospital?

A. Washington Adventist Hospital has two Board-certified Radiation Oncologists on staff that specialize in seed implantation. Additionally, we have on-site dosimetry and physics staff to prepare a customized seed implant treatment plan for our patients and a highly skilled, in-house surgical service team to assist with the seed implant procedure. To achieve maximum tumor control, the combined team effort of the urologist, radiation oncologist and physicist is critical to the success of this seed implant procedure.

Q. Where are Radiation Oncology services located at Washington Adventist Hospital?

A. The Radiation Oncology Department at Washington Adventist Hospital is located on Lower Level One by the Emergency Department. The department’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with 24-hour emergency on-call services seven-days-a week.

Q. How can I get more information about radiation oncology?

A. For more information, contact Kimberly Marter, Director, or Dr. C. K. Chung at (301) 891-5100.