Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy used in cancer treatment. It involves placing small radioactive sources, such as seeds or wires, directly into or next to the tumor to deliver a high dose of radiation to the cancerous cells while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
There are two types of brachytherapy: interstitial and intracavitary. In interstitial brachytherapy, the radioactive sources are placed directly into the tumor or surrounding tissue, while in intracavitary brachytherapy, the sources are placed in a body cavity near the tumor.
One of the key benefits of brachytherapy is its ability to deliver a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor while sparing healthy tissue. This can reduce the risk of side effects, such as fatigue, skin irritation, and gastrointestinal problems, that are common with traditional radiation therapy. Additionally, because the radiation sources are placed directly into or next to the tumor, the treatment time is usually shorter than with external beam radiation therapy.
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Brachytherapy can be used to treat a variety of cancers, including:
- Prostate cancer: Brachytherapy is commonly used to treat early-stage prostate cancer. The radioactive seeds are implanted directly into the prostate gland to deliver a high dose of radiation to the cancerous cells while sparing healthy tissue.
- Breast cancer: Brachytherapy can be used in some cases after lumpectomy surgery to deliver radiation directly to the area where the tumor was removed, reducing the risk of recurrence.
- Cervical cancer: Brachytherapy can be used to deliver radiation directly to the cervix, reducing the risk of recurrence and improving survival rates.
- Skin cancer: Brachytherapy can be used to treat some types of skin cancer, particularly those on the face or other sensitive areas, where surgery may not be an ideal option.
- Head and neck cancer: Brachytherapy can be used to treat some types of head and neck cancer, particularly those in the oral cavity, tongue, or tonsils.
Overall, brachytherapy can be an effective treatment option for many types of cancer, particularly those that are localized or confined to a specific area. It is often used in combination with other cancer treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy, to improve outcomes and reduce the risk of recurrence.