Brachytherapy

What is Brachytherapy?

Brachytherapy is an innovative form of internal radiation therapy that uses radioactive sources which are directly implanted into or around the tumor. In comparison to external beam radiation therapy which can cover a larger area of the body, brachytherapy delivers higher doses of radiation to more specific sites in the body allowing for quicker treatment times and possibly fewer side effects.

The two main methods of brachytherapy delivery are interstitial treatment and intracavitary treatment. Interstitial treatment involves placing the radioactive source directly into the tissue such as the prostate gland, whereas intracavitary treatment involves placing the source into a space or opening where the tumor is located such as the cervix or windpipe (trachea).

Brachytherapy can be used either alone or in combination with other types of treatment. Sometimes it is used after surgery to ensure all of the cancer cells are eliminated, while at other times it can be used in conjunction with external beam radiation.

How is Brachytherapy Performed?

During interstitial treatment, devices that come in the form of balloons, wires and seeds are inserted in or adjacent to the tumor site. Some techniques include placement of catheters or applicators that are preloaded with radioactive seeds. Others involve placement of catheters during surgery which may later be filled with the radioactive source when the patient is in the radiation treatment room. During intracavitary brachytherapy, a device that holds the radioactive source, such as a tube or cylinder, is placed in the body opening. Imaging methods such as CT or ultrasound may be used to successfully place the devices properly in either case.