There are three different isotopes that can be used in brachytherapy: iodine-125, palladium-103, and Cesium-131. Dr. Brian Moran of the Chicago Prostate Center recently shared why Cesium-131 is his preferred isotope for treatment of prostate cancer. Here are his insights.
“I prefer the energy profile of Cesium-131, especially for my focal therapy patients. It is less prone to cold spots, when looking at it’s energy level profile.
“Cesium-131 has the most powerful energy of the three; it also has the shortest half life,” says Dr. Moran. “This is advantageous when you have a patient who may be concerned and ask ‘am I going to be radioactive for a long period of time?’
“It is comforting for some men to know the radiation will be leaving their body more quickly than say iodine, which has a 60 day half life or palladium, which has a half life of 17 days.”
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and want to know about all of your available treatment options as well as learn more about how Cesium-131 may improve patient outcomes email patienteducation@isoray.com.
