Method and apparatus for interstitial radiation of the prostate gland

A method for treating prostate cancer using a stereotactic assembly including a support structure for supporting a protractor in a desired fixed position, the protractor supporting a needle guide, and at least a portion of the stereotactic assembly including the protractor and the needle guide being movable into and out of an imaging device, said method comprising the steps of:

• placing a patient in the prone position on a movable surface movable into and out of the imaging device;
• moving the movable surface into the imaging device and obtaining at least one two-dimensional image of the prostate of the patient at a predetermined image angle;
• removing the movable surface from the imaging device and adjusting the stereotactic assembly such that the needle guide is disposed adjacent the gluteal region of the patient at an angle substantially identical al to said image angle;
• placing at least one needle in the vicinity of the prostate of the patient through the gluteal region using the needle guide, thereby engaging the patient and the stereotactic assembly via said needle;
• verifying placement of said needle using the imaging device without disengaging said needle from the patient and the stereotactic assembly by moving the movable surface and at least said portion of the stereotactic assembly into the imaging device;
• and
• placing radioactive seeds in the vicinity of the prostate using said needle.