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Information for Prostate Cancer Patients

Dragon Technologies and IBt are committed to developing and providing the best tools possible to assist the physician in the fight against cancer. Our goal is for these tools to be used effectively to treat and manage disease while preserving the patient's quality of life.

IBt s.a. manufactures InterSource®  implants, which are smaller than a grain of rice (4.5mm x 0.8mm). These sources, also called seeds, can be inserted directly into select localized tumors to deliver a high dose of radiation to the cancerous tissue while sparing the healthy surrounding tissue from an unnecessary dose of radiation. They are used either as primary treatment for tumors such as those of the head, lung, neck, pancreas, prostate, and inoperable tumors, or for residual disease after removal of the primary tumor.

The insertion of radioactive seeds into the prostate, also known as prostate brachytherapy, has been used for years, but has recently increased in popularity due to technological advances. Studies done in the early 70's had less than favorable outcomes due to open surgical techniques that made uniform distribution of the radiation difficult.

Today, tests allowing earlier diagnosis in combination with tools for better treatment planning and seed placement are readily available. These advances make possible a minimally invasive procedure using non-surgical techniques. This treatment approach is often an outpatient procedure resulting in considerable cost savings to the patient and to the health care system. Patients are most often able to resume normal activities within 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.

Making a treatment choice

Unlike some types of cancer, prostate cancer is usually slow growing giving you more opportunity to make educated treatment decisions.

If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with prostate cancer...

• Find a physician with whom you are comfortable
  Your physician should take time to discuss your case with you and answer any questions that you might have.
• Get additional opinions.
  Talk to physicians who offer a variety of treatment options.
• Research the treatment options.
  There are excellent resources on the Internet and in your local library.
  Support groups are often very helpful in exploring treatment options. You can discuss firsthand what others in a similar situation have experienced.
• Finally, make the decision that is right for you.

Like with most medical procedures, not every patient is a candidate for prostate brachytherapy. For more information regarding the appropriateness of this treatment option, please consult a physician.

Online resources about prostate cancer

Seedpods
Prostate Pointers
Cancer Care Inc
Prostate Cancer Info-Link
US Too International, Inc.
The Circle
Other Prostate Resources
Multilingual Cancer Information

Online resources about prostate cancer

American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Cancer News on the Net

Online discussion lists

• Seedpods: Send an e-mail to:  MAJORDOMO@www.prostatepointers.org Leave the Subject line blank and Type "Subscribe SEEDPODS" in the body of the message.
• Circle: Send an e-mail to: MAJORDOMO@www.prostatepointers.org Leave the Subject line blank and Type "Subscribe CIRCLE" in the body of the Message.

Cancer organizations by phone

• American Cancer Society: 1-800-227-2345 (chapters in all states)
• The National Cancer Institute: 1-800-422-6327
• Cancer Care Counseling Line: 1-800-813-4673
• National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship: 301-650-8868
• Man to Man: 1-800-ACS-2345
• US Too: 1-800-808-7866
• Prostate Cancer Support Network: 1-800-828-7866
  

Recommended reading material

• Prostate Cancer: A Survivors Guide
  Don Kaltenbach with Tim Richards
• Prostate Cancer: A Non-Surgical Perspective
  Kent Wallner, M.D.
• Man to Man: Surviving Prostate Cancer
  Michael Korda
• The ABC's of Prostate Cancer
  Joseph E. Osterling, MD and Mark A Moyad, MPH
• The Prostate Sourcebook
  Steven Morganstern, MD and Allen Abrahams, Ph.D.

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