Seed brachytherapy has become very popular in the United States since the modern treatment technique was developed in the late 1980s. It is predicted that there will soon be as many men treated in the United States with seed brachytherapy as those treated with a radical prostatectomy. Seed brachytherapy is suitable for men with early, localised prostate cancer. The implant, in which tiny radioactive seeds are placed directly into the prostate using small needles, is usually conducted as a day procedure. No open surgery is required. The typical side effect of seed implantation is moderately intense bladder irritation for a number of months. Bowel problems are usually minimal and the chance of impotence is quite low.

The radioactive iodine seeds, one seen here next to a coin, are tiny.