Our experience indicates that intraoperative planned BT is easily implemented in clinical practice as a result of a short learning curve. In addition, the approach is not associated with any changes in early postoperative voiding symptoms and, due to only marginally longer operative times, may have a cost advantage by eliminating the preplanning visit and ultrasound.

Prostate brachytherapy with permanent radioactive implants is becoming an increasingly popular treatment choice for patients with prostate cancer. This therapy is attractive to patients due to the fact that it is an outpatient procedure and in many cases has been associated with lower long-term risks of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction when compared to other curative modalities. This review will describe the history, isotopes used, implantation techniques, and results achieved with modern prostate brachytherapy. Results will be discussed both in terms of cancer control and health-related quality of life endpoints.