The blood counts usually return to normal within a few weeks after radiation is stopped. Brachytherapy has a lower risk of erectile dysfunction than other types of radiation therapy. How effective is coronary brachytherapy? Internal radiation therapy is also called brachytherapy. The doctor may use an applicator to insert and guide the catheter, depending on … Depending on the type of brachytherapy you are having, you may need to have a local anaesthetic to numb the area being treated, or a general anaesthetic so you will be unconscious for the treatment. After a designated amount of time, the radioactive material is removed from your body. When getting brachytherapy, a solid source of radiation is put inside your body. Some side effects of brachytherapy start during or just after treatment and usually begin to get better after about 2 weeks. In some cases scar tissue can form in the vagina. The Brachytherapy Process. There is no pain associated with brachytherapy. No matter the cancer, treatments often cause side effects that affect patients’ quality of life. This is more common after vaginal brachytherapy than after pelvic radiation therapy. You may already be feeling tired and generally unwell if you are having brachytherapy after chemotherapy and radiotherapy (chemoradiation), so it may help to know what else to expect. Learn more about how what to expect when getting internal radiation therapy. problems after a seed implant. To help you prepare for the fight, here is a brief outline of what you can expect when you visit your radiation oncologist and begin brachytherapy treatments. There seems to be considerable confusion about whether, after Brachytherapy (i.e., radioactive seeds), a man will still be able to ejaculate, and if so whether this will last. It can be used treat different kinds of cancer, head and neck, breast, cervix, prostate, and eye. The recovery after brachytherapy is like a heart catheterization. In some cases, such as with prostate cancer brachytherapy, radioactive material is placed in your body permanently. And there are a numbers of issues to be considered: The first issue is whether additional radiotherapy of any type is acceptable. The role of salvage EBRT when patients relapse after first-line brachytherapy is nothing like as well defined as the situation after surgery. Permanent brachytherapy. Fighting cancer is challenging. Generally, the urinary problems peak around 3-8 weeks after the implant and then begin to gradually improve. Salvage EBRT for Men in Biochemical Relapse After Brachytherapy. Brachytherapy, or internal radiation, is a type of cancer treatment in which your doctor places a radioactive implant in your body. Learn how it works and what to expect when you have it. The length of time that these side effects last also varies from patient to patient. The details of some of the steps may differ, depending on your particular case and what type of brachytherapy you receive. You will need a few days to rest and limit physical activity. Brachytherapy involves insertion of a small, stretchy tube known as a catheter into the area where you need radiation treatment. If you have these conditions your doctor will discuss this with you at the time of your consultation. What to expect after coronary brachytherapy? Once brachytherapy treatment is complete, you're free to have visitors without restrictions. Radiation therapy may cause changes to the lining of the vagina leading to vaginal dryness. Long-term side effects.