Circulating cells expressing PSA mRNA are elevated following prostate brachytherapy

Abstract

Purpose: Ultrasound guided brachytherapy for treatment of early stage prostate adenocarcinoma is gaining popularity and nation-wided is being performed more frequently. Brachytherapy requires the transcutaneous placement of needles into the prostate for subsequent deployment of radioactive seeds. Instrumentation of the prostate during seed placement may provide vascular access for tumor cells from the traumatized prostate gland. The goal of this investigation is to determine if viable prostate cells are released into the circulation as a result of the standard brachytherapy procedure.