A new therapy for prostate cancer

A new radioactive isotope, palladium-103, used for radiation implant therapy for early prostate cancer has proven as effective as an older and more common therapy, but with fewer long-term side effects, a Yale study has found. “The overall cure rates using palladium-103 or iodine-125 appear very similar,” said Richard Peschel, M.D., professor of therapeutic radiology. “However, the newer palladium-103 treatment was better than iodine-125 at preventing both moderate and severe long-term complications.” Peschel tracked 150 patients over seven years for his study, which was published in the Oct. 29 issue of Radiation Oncology Investigations. Peschel attributed the difference in side effects to the higher dose rate for palladium- 103. Palladium doses are given over two months as opposed to six months for iodine.