A NEW prostate cancer treatment was successfully used in Australia for the first time on March 1.
British urologist Stephen Langley and oncologist Robert Laing oversaw the 4D Brachytherapy procedure in Hobart.
4D Brachytherapy is an innovative non-surgical treatment linked with higher survival rates and reduced side effect risks compared to traditional treatment options.
It has been successfully used in the UK, where patients have reported significantly lower risks of incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
The method uses a series of nomograms to guide clinical teams through a procedure where radiation "seeds" are implanted around the outside of the prostate. These seeds target and kill the cancer cells while reducing the damage to surrounding healthy cells.
This method also allows for greater precision.
"Due to the highly targeted nature of 4D Brachytherapy, it tends to carry a much lower risk of incontinence and erectile dysfunction, which are often the biggest concerns for patients," Professor Langley said.
"The new technique combines the two stages of a standard Brachytherapy treatment into one convenient procedure, allowing us to complete the implant in approximately 45 minutes."
The treatment generally has a low complication rate and minimal downtime. Patients normally only require one day in hospital and return to their normal routine within a few days.
