A 70-year-old septuagenarian C Das, from Orissa was diagnosed with prostate cancer two months ago. As his family was worried about the side- effects and the cost of treatment, Dr Vivek Anand, consultant radiation oncologist at Hinduja Hospital in Mahim, suggested a new form of treatment called as prostate brachytherapy which is more convenient solution for them and has fewer side effects.

Dr. Anand said: "This is the first time that we will use brachytherapy to treat prostate cancer in India." Earlier this therapy has been used to treat breast and rectum cancer. The new procedure involves implanting capsules containing radioactive iodine, known as 'iodine seeds' - in the prostate. The seeds leak out radiation at a slow rate over a period of three or six months. According to Dr. Anand, "The number of seeds to be implanted depends on the volume of the prostate gland affected. The seeds, which are the size of a rice grain, release radiation only to the affected part of the prostate."

Das's son said "Since this procedure has minimal side-effects, we opted for it." He will be operated upon on Friday and the hospital will bear the expense for his treatment.

Director of Tata Memorial Hospital in Parel, Dr. Rajan Badwe said: "Brachytherapy is cost-effective and certainly has fewer side-effects. It is ideal for patients in the early stages of cancer and also for outstation patients who cannot make it for regular radiation therapy sessions."

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is the manufacturer of these iodine seeds in India.