A new implant that uses palladium and has been designed to help tackle cancerous tumours has been authorised for use in the European Union.

International Brachytherapy (IBt) has reported that it has received the European CE label for its new OptiSeed polymer implant with palladium-103.

The move paves the way for the product to be made available for use in Europe, certifying that the implant's manufacturing process meets the required legal and safety standards under the European directive on active implantable medical devices.

However, IBt says that the main market for its palladium implant will be the American market, due to the fact that European users currently prefer implants based on iodine-125.

Brachytherapy is mainly used in the treatment of localised prostate cancer and uses implants containing radio isotopes placed at the heart of the cancerous tissue.

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