Management of Deceased Patients Following Brachytherapy Treatment for Prostate Cancer
Sheila Liddle is an RPA and RWA with over 30 years ' experience in the nuclear and non-nuclear sectors.
As screening for prostate cancer is increasing then so is treatment for this type of cancer. Currently prostate cancer treatments vary depending on the rate of growth of the tumour. Techniques include active surveillance for slow-growing cancers, hormone therapy and implanting radioactive sources in a technique known as brachytherapy. other healthcare professionals if they need treatment for other causes. If the patient should die within 20 months of the implant, a normal cremation is not allowed because it would cause a radiation hazard. There are also hazards for hospital staff carrying out post-mortems so it is very important that hospital staff and funeral directors are informed. They can then contact the administering hospital for advice, using the information on the card.
In one form of prostate brachytherapy, 50- 100 tiny Iodine-125 seeds are permanently implanted in the prostate under ultrasound guidance. The seeds are sealed sources each the size of a grain of rice and distributed in a predetermined pattern to give the required radiation dose to treat the cancer. Iodine- 125 has a half-life of 60 days and delivers the majority of the dose to the prostate over the first few months following the implant but the seeds will remain radioactive for considerably longer.
The Cremation Regulations Guidance to Applicants( published by Ministry of Justice 2012) originally stated that if the deceased had received treatment and died within a year, the brachytherapy sources should be removed. The guidance was updated in 2024 and now there is a question relating to implants on the form used to apply for cremation( Form Cremation 1). This leaves the matter to be discussed between the Funeral Director and the Crematorium. They would be expected to seek advice from the administering hospital.
Facts about Iodine-125
Brachytherapy seeds used to treat prostate cancer. Arrow marks seeds. Copyright James Hellman, MD Source Wiki
Patients are given an information card which they should carry with them for three years as they may need to show it to their doctor or
Iodine is produced in a reactor by neutron capture, by irradiating Xenon-124 gas, followed by electron capture.
Xe-124( n, γ) àXe-125m( 57 s) àI-125 Xe-124( n, γ) àXe-125g( 16.9 h) àI-125
Iodine-125 emits low-energy photons( 35.5 keV) and X-rays( 27.2 – 31.7 keV) with a radiological half-life of 60 days
Radiation Protection Today Summer 2026 33