Radiation Seed Safety Patient Information You or a loved one is undergoing radioactive I-125 seed placement for the treatment of a brain tumor. During surgery, the tumor is removed and the seeds are placed in the area where the tumor was located. The protective lining of the brain (dura mater) and skull are then put back in place. Because the skull bone is hard, there is very little radioactive exposure to people around the patient. However, because there have not been long-term studies to evaluate this type of radioactive exposure, it is important for you to understand these facts about radiation seeds:
Radiation seeds are full strength when they are placed inside the brain. Their strength is cut in half every two months. The seeds are still radioactive after six months; however, their strength is so low that radioactivity is unlikely to go beyond the skull.
Patients with radiation seeds can receive hugs from children but then the child should maintain at least a 2 feet distance from the patient for the first two months after the procedure.
Pregnant family members or friends should minimize immediate, prolonged contact with the patient for the first two months. The radiation exposure to the fetus is the same as the exposure to other people.
Do not worry about the proximity of the patient to other people when in a public place such as a grocery store or a restaurant.
Patients can sleep in the same bed as their significant other.
If you have further questions about radiation seeds, please contact Tara Stamper, nurse practitioner with the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute Brain Tumor Center, at (513) 558-8649. Before surgery
Tumor removed and I-125 seeds placed
9/2009
