BRACHYTHERAPY

FOR INTERNAL RADIATION

 

Brachytherapy is a method of delivering radiation treatment where small radioactive pellets or seeds are placed directly into or very close to the tumor. A minor surgical procedure is often necessary to achieve this placement. The term “brachy” is Greek for short distance, and brachytherapy is radiation therapy given at a short distance. The major advantage of brachytherapy is that it allows delivery of high doses of radiation to the tumor while limiting the radiation dose to adjacent normal tissues. Brachytherapy is used for many cancers throughout the body including prostate cancer, uterine cancer, cervix cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, vaginal cancer, bile duct cancer, esophagus cancer, oral cavity cancer, nasopharynx cancer, and soft tissue sarcomas.