Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation therapy where tiny radioactive sources are placed within the body to treat cancer. These sources, or seeds, are about the size of a grain of rice. The source is positioned precisely on or inside the patient’s body, close to or inside the tumor. In some cases, the sources remain in place for just a few minutes. This requires an applicator or hollow tube, which is removed after the treatment is complete. In other cases, the radioactive seeds slowly decay and become not radioactive. These seeds can be left in place permanently.
Brachytherapy allows doctors to deliver radiation directly to the patient’s tumor while limiting radiation exposure to healthy tissue.
Brachytherapy is typically used when the tumor is easy to reach with minimally invasive techniques, such as the use of an applicator device or needle. It is a common treatment for prostate cancer and gynecologic cancers including cervical cancer, endometrial cancer and vaginal cancer, among other diseases.
Types of brachytherapy
There are three primary ways doctors deliver brachytherapy:
- Low-dose brachytherapy (LDR) places the radioactive pellets in or near the tumor permanently. These seeds are radioactive for a few weeks to several months. Patients undergo this as an outpatient procedure. After the sources are placed, patients can resume their normal activities.
- Pulsed-dose brachytherapy (PDR) requires a hospital stay. At the start of the stay, doctors place an applicator device in or near the tumor. A machine then sends the radioactive pellets into the applicator for roughly 10-15 minutes every hour for about two days. The procedure may be repeated after a few weeks.
- High-dose brachytherapy (HDR) also uses an applicator device. The radiation from the pellet is more powerful than pulsed-dose, so the patient receives just one approximately 10-minute exposure every few days for two to three weeks. High-dose brachytherapy is an outpatient procedure.
Brachytherapy side effects
Side effects for brachytherapy are usually limited to the area near where the sources are placed. For example, cervical cancer patients who receive brachytherapy may experience bladder problems such as discomfort when urinating.
Brachytherapy at MD Anderson
Choosing where to go for cancer care is one of the most important decisions you can make. At MD Anderson, our focus on each patient’s experience and comfort during the process is unique, with a dedicated team that cares for our brachytherapy patients. As part of a top-ranked cancer center, our team of doctors has access to the most advanced technologies, allowing them to deliver the most effective treatment while minimizing side effects.
MD Anderson provides highly personalized treatment plans using cutting-edge technology, and advanced imaging with intraoperative CT (ioCT), intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (ioMRI) and the MR-LINAC, the first MRI integrated with radiation therapy delivery in the United States, for advanced cancer treatment and research.
Our treatment options for gynecologic brachytherapy are personalized to each patient’s preferences and clinical situation. We have access to several types of brachytherapy applicators, allowing us to choose the best option for each patient.
Our team of experts can adapt the brachytherapy treatment plan based on each individual tumor. We use high-quality imaging techniques and a variety of inpatient and outpatient options to develop the best plan for each patient.
And at MD Anderson you will be surrounded by the strength of one of the nation's largest and most experienced cancer centers. From support groups to counseling to integrative medicine care, we have all the services needed to treat not just the disease, but the whole person.
