[Sudden death after 125I brachytherapy in prostate cancer patient: a case report]

A management of 125I isotope is defined by medical guideline from Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan. According to this, when the patient died within one year after 125I interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy, we have to do autopsy and collect all implanted isotopes as soon as possible. We report here, a 70-year-old man who underwent 125I interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer and one month after brachytherapy the patient died of acute cerebral hemorrhage, which was unrelated to the 125I brachytherapy. Autopsy was performed and collection of migrated isotopes was extremely difficult in technically. In addition, the cost of autopsy and distance from our hospital were also problems in this case. Treatment of prostate cancer with brachytherapy has increased in Japan, and we should establish management manual for sudden death case after 125I brachytherapy.