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Brachytherapy ?

Brachytherapy, a type of internal radiation therapy, involves placing radioactive sources directly inside or near the tumor. This localized delivery allows for a high radiation dose to the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. It is widely used in treating cancers such as cervical, prostate, breast, head and neck, and others.

Types of Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy can be classified based on
  • Placement of the Source.
  • Dose Rate.
  • Duration of Treatment.
Based on Placement of the Source
  • Intracavitary Brachytherapy
  • The radioactive source is placed inside a body cavity close to the tumor.
  • Examples: Cervical cancer (using applicators like tandem and ovoids or tandem and ring).
  • Endometrial cancer.
  • Interstitial Brachytherapy.
  • Examples: Prostate cancer (using needles or seeds).
  • Soft tissue sarcomas.
  • Surface Brachytherapy.
  • Examples: Skin cancers
  • Intraluminal Brachytherapy.
  • The source is placed within a lumen (hollow organ or tube).
  • Examples: Esophageal cancer.
  • Bronchial cancer.
  • Intravascular Brachytherapy: Used to prevent restenosis in blood vessels after angioplasty
Based on Dose Rate
  • Low-Dose Rate (LDR) Brachytherapy:
  • Radioactive sources deliver radiation over a prolonged period (hours to days).
  • Examples: Cervical cancer (e.g., Cs-137).
  • Prostate cancer (permanent seed implants using I-125 or Pd-103).
  • High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy.
  • Radioactive sources deliver a high dose over a short duration (minutes per session).
  • Examples: Cervical cancer (using Ir-192).
  • Breast cancer (using HDR after lumpectomy).
  • Pulsed-Dose Rate (PDR) Brachytherapy:Delivers radiation in periodic pulses rather than continuously, mimicking LDR with a remote afterloading system.
Based on Duration of Treatment
  • Temporary Brachytherapy: Radioactive sources are placed temporarily and removed after the desired dose is delivered.
  • Examples: HDR, PDR treatments.
  • Permanent (Seed) Implants: Radioactive sources (e.g., I-125, Pd-103) are permanently implanted. The radiation gradually diminishes as the isotopes decay.
  • Example: Prostate cancer.

Each type of brachytherapy is selected based on the cancer type, location, stage, and the patient’s overall condition. The ability to tailor treatment precisely makes brachytherapy a cornerstone in modern radiation oncology.

Your Expertise

As a senior radiation oncologist with 10+ years of experience and specialization in brachytherapy, you play a pivotal role in precision cancer care, especially for complex and advanced-stage cancers. Your contributions significantly impact treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients.

Working Time
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    10:00 – 18:00
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    10:00 – 17:00
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Need a personal health plan?
Dr.Dheepika B
Radition Oncology
+91 81221 70915