Remote interstitial afterloading in cancer of the prostate: preliminary experience with the MicroSelectron

Brachytherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer is an accepted modality. A considerable experience has been accrued using Iridium interstitial therapy. The major problem associated with this choice is that of radioprotection. We describe the first clinical use of the MicroSelectron, a remote afterloading device, in prostate brachytherapy. Twenty-six patients have now been treated using this system. Approximately 55 treatment interruptions with an average 5 hr increase in overall treatment time occurs. The initial problems associated with instituting remote afterloading to prostate brachytherapy and their solutions are discussed.