What Is The Difference Between Permanent Seed Implants And Temporary (High-Dose) Seed Implants?

March 16, 2009 -- Question: What is the difference between permanent seed implants and temporary (high-dose) seed implants?

Answer: The difference between a permanent seed implant and a temporary high-dose rate or HDR implant is the kind of radiation. A seed implant, a permanent seed implant, the radiation is placed in the prostate. The seeds will stay there forever giving off radiation until the seeds wear off. In a temporary implant needles are placed in the prostate, the radiation goes through the needles into the prostate for a certain amount of time, usually between 10 and 20 minutes. The radiation is then removed and the needles are then removed and no radiation is left behind in the prostate.