The use of permanent radioactive implants (I-125 or Pd-103 seeds) to treat selected localised prostate cancer patients has been increasing rapidly all over the world for the last 15 years. It is estimated that more than 50,000 patients are treated this way every year in the world, and this number is anticipated to increase in the near future. 

Although no accidents or adverse effects involving medical staff and/or members of the patient's family have been reported to date, this brachytherapy technique raises a number of radiation safety issues that need specific recommendations from the ICRP.