Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is an option to consider for multiple cancers, such as prostate, lung, or esophageal cancer.

Brachytherapy is a medical treatment involving the placement of radioactive material inside the body. Sometimes also referred to as internal radiation, this procedure is used as a type of cancer treatment.

Traditional radiation uses an external beam and the overall treatment time may be longer compared to brachytherapy.
There are several elements to consider for this treatment, such as cancer type, cancer stage, and overall patient health to determine the best approach.

Preparation

Doctors review preparation before appointments

Imaging tests may be required beforehand

Medication instructions may change

Your doctor will discuss what to expect and if there are any additional steps before each appointment, such as refraining from food or getting the usage instructions for any medications changed. Patients may undergo certain imaging tests prior to brachytherapy, such as magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography.

Procedure

This internal radiation procedure differs based on where the cancer is in the body and the location determines how placement is done.

When it is being placed into a body cavity, which is referred to as intracavity brachytherapy, a device that holds the radioactive material is placed into an opening in the body.

The device may be made specifically for the body opening or it might be a tube.

A computerized machine or a handheld type of tool is used to put the delivery device into place.

To ensure proper device placement, doctors may use imaging technology to check it.

When using this treatment method on body tissue, it is referred to as interstitial brachytherapy.

Within the body tissue, doctors will place a device that has the radioactive material in it.

Interstitial and Unsealed Brachytherapy

Unsealed brachytherapy is another treatment approach.

Radioactive material may be injected into a body cavity.

The material may also be injected into a vein.

Injection delivers radiation within the body.

The devices delivering the radiation may contain balloons, tiny seeds and wires. Doctors may use special applicators to deliver the radioactive material, such as hollow, long tubes. These would be inserted into the tissue receiving the radiation and the radioactive material is then released. For some patients, the narrow tubes need to be placed using a surgical procedure and imaging technology, such as ultrasound, may help to ensure the proper placement.

Types of Brachytherapy

Treatment may be used alone or with other therapies.

High-dose brachytherapy is often outpatient.

Low-dose brachytherapy may last several days.

Permanent brachytherapy places material inside the body.

This form of radiation treatment can be used with other cancer treatment options, or alone. There are three primary types. The high-dose type is usually performed on an outpatient basis. Each session takes up to 20 minutes and how often patients require sessions will depend on their cancer and overall regimen. The low-dose type usually releases for longer periods of time, up to several days in some instances. Since the radiation remains in the body for a longer period of time, patients generally remain in the hospital until the session is complete.

Permanent Brachytherapy

Permanent Implant Method

There is also a permanent type that might be used with certain types of cancer.

Placement of Radioactive Material

With this method, the specialized material is permanently placed inside the body.

Long-Term Radiation Delivery

The implanted material remains inside the body and continuously delivers radiation to treat the cancer.