NZ First in Prostate Cancer Treatment

NZ First in Southern Hemisphere with Advance in Prostate Cancer Treatment

New Zealand prostate cancer patients are the first in the Southern Hemisphere to be offered the latest development in brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer. Two procedures using the new technology were performed in Auckland on Friday, January 22.

Brachytherapy involves the permanent implantation of tiny radioactive ‘seeds’ directly into the prostate gland and has been practiced in this current form for over 20 years. The new technology, “ThinStrand”, uses significantly smaller seeds than previously available which can be implanted using thinner needles. Initial studies of ThinStrand in Seattle have shown that the thinner needles and seeds result in less bruising at the implantation site and less pain and tenderness in the initial period after the implant. The study also found an improved, higher radiation dose in the prostate.

ThinStrand was developed by market leader in Low Dose Rate (LDR) Brachytherapy, Oncura.

The procedures in Auckland were successfully performed by Oncologist Dr John Matthews and Urologist Mr Derek Rothwell of Prostate Implants NZ on two patients at Southern Cross Brightside Hospital in Epsom. Dr Matthews said that the first implants with the ThinStrand procedure went very well:

“The thinner needles make the procedure even less invasive and this is a significant advantage for patients. It is possible that the thinner needles will cause less swelling in the prostate and there is a study in Seattle looking at whether the thinner needles will reduce the chance of urinary symptoms and impotence”

LDR seed brachytherapy is a minimally invasive and highly effective treatment and is an option for many men with early prostate cancer. Brachytherapy results in similar cure rates to prostate surgery but with less impotence and urinary incontinence. Dr Matthews said that a recent analysis of Prostate Implants NZ patients had shown a very low recurrence rate of 6% at 8yrs.

President of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Barry Young, said it is now just over 10 years since the first brachytherapy procedures to treat prostate cancer were used in New Zealand.

“It is a much less invasive way to treat prostate cancer and it is good to see the technology still being developed. There are a number of ways to treat prostate cancer and we always suggest that men look at what is available and, in consultation with their doctors, select the treatment best suited to them” said Mr Young.

ENDS

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