Blockage after Brachytherapy

Had brachytherapy  Oct. 20,2006.
Checkups since then have been very positive.
PSA  as of May 7,2008  0.8
However, have had  two visits to emergency hosp for
blockage problem. Both  within past week.
Urine clouded with blood. Wore catheder for one night.
Urine cleared.  Urologist gave me green light to remove
catheder.. I did this following his telephone instructions.
My concerns are what to ask for as to trying to avoid reoccurrence.
My Oncologist and Urologist seem to think it may be dislodged seeds.
What say you?   Thanks.  Best regards

[Ketan K Badani]

Blood clots after brachytherapy can be a fustrating problem.  It is possible that the seeds are dislodging and causing some bleeding.  There are effects of radiation that over time can affect the bladder and/or urethra (tube that drains urine from bladder through penis) that causes them to become inflammed and irritated and thus bleed.  Also, it is possible, however unusual in most instances like this, that the bleeding is caused by a bladder or kidney problem unrelated to your radiation.  The tests that are performed to investigate include an x-ray of your kidneys (usually Cat Scan) and a cystoscopy (where your urologist looks into your bladder with a small camera).  If seeds are dislodging, this test would find that as well.