Convalescence following brachytherapy

High dose-rate brachytherapy: Your return home and instructions to follow are similar to those described for external radiotherapy treatment.

Low dose-rate brachytherapy: requires only a short recovery period.

You can resume your normal activities and restart some sports in the first few days following the procedure.

However, once back home, avoid strenuous efforts. Avoid heavy physical exertion for at least 4 weeks.

• No cycling
• No gym workouts
• No heavy lifting

Could I experience discomfort after treatment?

You may experience one or more of the following side effects:

• Bruising (bruise) may appear on the testicles or penis, immediately after treatment or a few days later. This is normal and generally not very painful. To relieve it, apply ice to the affected area and take pain relievers.
• There may be blood in your urine (a few hours or days) or in your semen (up to six weeks). This is normal. If you see small clots (clumps) of blood in your urine, drink plenty of water. This should pass.
• During the month following treatment, you may need to urinate more frequently. You may also experience a slight burning sensation when urinating. If this is the case, talk to your doctor. Medications can help.
• Passing stools may be painful if your anus is irritated. Some people also have diarrhea. These effects (more rare) usually disappear about 5 weeks after treatment. However, they may come back from time to time.
• Important: If you are unable to urinate, call 911 for emergency medical assistance or go to the hospital emergency room.

When will I see my doctor again?

You will meet with your doctor 1 month after your treatment. This is to ensure that the radioactive sources have remained in place and to monitor the dose received. He will perform an X-ray and a scan of your prostate if you have received temporary brachytherapy (HDD). Afterward, you will see your doctor, alternating with your urologist, every 3 to 4 months, for at least 5 years.

If I can’t make it to my appointment

 Call the Radiotherapy Department of the hospital as soon as possible.

For help or questions

 If you have any questions or concerns:

• During the day, on weekdays, call the Radiotherapy Department and ask to speak to your clinical contact person.
• In the evening or on weekends, call the hospital directly and ask to speak to the on-call radiation oncologist.

Safety measures and sexual activities

Since you have radioactive sources, you must take certain precautions.

During the first three months following the procedure

• Pregnant women should remain at a distance of about one meter (three feet) from the patient.
• A child under twelve should not sit on the patient’s lap for long periods (no more than 5 hours per day). However, they can sit beside.

However, there is no contraindication to sleeping in the same bed as your partner unless she is pregnant. Transmission Radioactive seeds do not make bodily fluids, such as urine or semen, radioactive. Therefore, there is no risk of radiation transmission to a partner.

• Men who engage in sexual activities immediately after the procedure sometimes experience burning sensations and pain during ejaculation.
• Additionally, they may notice blood in their semen. This poses no danger to the man or his partner, and this symptom will disappear over time.

Seed displacement

The risks of displacement of radioactive seeds are minimal. Ejection of a seed during intercourse is extremely rare.

• However, according to experts, if a seed is ejaculated into the partner’s body, there is no danger to them.
• To ensure optimal protection for your partner, it is recommended to use a condom for at least your first 5 ejaculations or throughout your partner’s pregnancy. After some time, the seeds become inactive and remain permanently in the body without causing damage. Your doctor will provide more details after your procedure.