A palladium-based cancer treatment is yielding encouraging results after a series of tests among patients, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) has heard.  In the largest and most comprehensive study ever undertaken of permanent prostate brachytherapy, or "seed therapy", the results show survival rates for patients were equal to or better than surgery. The study, "Twelve-Year Outcomes Following Permanent Prostate Brachytherapy In Patients With Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer," was conducted by Louis Potters, M.D., Medical Director of the New York Prostate Institute and presented today as part of the annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in Atlanta.

Researchers followed 1,449 patients treated with permanent prostate brachytherapy between 1992 and 2000. The long-term research results showed a biochemical, recurrence-free survival rate of 81 percent, which is equal to or better than comparable rates found in studies of other forms of treatment for men with clinically localized prostate cancer. The report was selected for presentation from among 1,283 abstracts submitted to ASTRO for their annual meeting, the largest gathering of radiation oncology specialists in the world. 

The permanent prostate brachytherapy, or "seed therapy", is a form of radiation therapy that fights prostate cancer by implanting rice-sized radioactive seeds inside the body.

In Dr Potter's trial, which encompassed 1,129 patients, palladium-103 (Pd-103) seeds produced by Theragenics were used.

Ms Christine Jacobs, chairman and president of Theragenics, hailed the performance of the palladium seed.

"This study should end any doubt about the efficacy of brachytherapy while providing substantial evidence - and assurance - to doctors about the long-term effectiveness of using palladium-103 (Pd-103) to treat their patients with prostate cancer," she declared.