Is There Radiation Still in My Body After Plaque Brachytherapy?

Radiation kills ocular melanoma by disrupting and damaging the DNA - the blueprint for allowing the cancer cells to multiply. The source of the radiation in a brachytherapy plaque is either seeds of iodine-125, seeds of palladium-103 or seeds of ruthenium-106. When the treatment is over, the whole plaque that contains the radiation seeds within it, is removed entirely from the body. There is nothing left behind. Often, a radiation physicist will use a geiger counter to check to be sure that no seeds of radiation "fell out" or "were left behind" in the body. When it is confirmed that nothing has been left behind, and the retrieved plaque has the same number of radiation seeds in it that it started with, you will have no more radiation in the body. Welcome to Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma, a guide to understanding everything there is to know about your experience with this rare cancer. Learn through the lens of my knowledge and clinical experience as a physician expert and passionate patient advocate. The more you know about ocular melanoma, the better you will do, and the better you will live. Let's go! For Tara McCannel's resources (including webinar links and link to my book!), visit my website: https://seyhart.com/ocularmelanoma The content shared on the Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided must not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. As a listener, you are responsible for your own health-related decisions and must consider consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.  Tara McCannel MD PhD is a an ocular oncologist, vitreoretinal surgeon and co-founder of Seyhart Wellness. She is also the host of the Mind Body MD podcast where she shares her passion for holistic health and wellness.