PHILIPPINE ONCOLOGY CENTER CORPORATION

     Brachytherapy

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     About Brachytherapy

     

Internal radiation therapy uses a radiation source that’s usually sealed in a small holder called an implant. The implant is placed very close to or inside the tumor, so that it harms as few normal cells as possible. Internal radiation therapy allows a higher dose of radiation in a smaller area than might be possible with external radiation treatment.

     

The main types of brachytherapy are intracavitary radiation and interstitial radiation. Both of these methods use radioactive implants such as pellets, seeds, ribbons, wires, needles, capsules, balloons, or tubes.

   

    ■ During intracavitary radiation, the radioactive source is placed in a cavity (space) in the body, such as the rectum or uterus.

    ■ With interstitial radiation, the implants are placed in or near the tumor, but not in a body cavity.

 

 

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Types of Brachytherapy

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High-dose rate (HDR) implants

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    ■ These implants stay in place for a few minutes at a time and are then taken out. Your entire visit will be longer, though, since

       it also takes time to prepare for the treatment.

    ■ The holder or catheter may stay in place, or it may be put in place before each treatment.

    ■ You can be around people after the implant is removed. You are not radioactive.

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About the Treatment

   

     ■ Brachytherapy uses radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.

    ■ The radiation source, which looks like seeds, ribbons, or wires, is put into your body

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Before treatment starts:

 

You will meet with your doctor to:

     

    ■ Talk about your health and medical history.

    ■ Get a checkup (physical exam). You will also have tests to take pictures of the cancer.

    ■ Learn how brachytherapy can help you.

    ■ Learn about any side effects you might have. These differ depending on where the radiation is placed. 

    ■ Ask and get answers to all your questions before starting treatment.

 

During treatment:

   

  ■ Your doctor will place a small holder, such as a thin tube called a catheter, into your body. It is placed in or near the cancer

     cells. Sometimes an applicator or a balloon attached to a thin tube is used.

     

  ■ Then the seeds, ribbons, or wires are put inside the small holder so that the radiation can reach and destroy cancer cells.

  ■ Depending on the type of implant you receive, the radiation source may stay in place for minutes or hours.

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​​Source:  National Cancer Institute | www.cancer.gov