Brachytherapy Radioactive seeds implant

Brachytherapy: An Overview

What is Brachytherapy?

Brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation therapy used to treat cancer. Unlike external beam radiation, which directs radiation from outside the body, brachytherapy places radioactive sources directly inside or near the tumor. This allows for a highly targeted treatment while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

Types of Brachytherapy

1. Low-Dose Rate (LDR) Brachytherapy – Involves placing radioactive implants in the body for a specific period (hours to days) before removal.
2. High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy – Uses a high-intensity radioactive source for a short duration (minutes) in multiple sessions.
3. Permanent Seed Implants – Tiny radioactive seeds are implanted into the tumor, emitting radiation over weeks or months before becoming inactive.

Conditions Treated with Brachytherapy

• Prostate cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Breast cancer
• Endometrial (uterine) cancer
• Head and neck cancers
• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer

Benefits of Brachytherapy

• Delivers high doses of radiation precisely to the tumor.
• Minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
• Shorter treatment duration compared to external radiation therapy.
• Fewer side effects and quicker recovery time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Brachytherapy

1. How does brachytherapy work?

Brachytherapy involves placing a radioactive source inside or near the tumor. This radiation kills cancer cells while sparing nearby healthy tissue. The treatment can be temporary (removable implants) or permanent (radioactive seeds left in place).

2. Is brachytherapy painful?

The procedure itself is generally not painful, as anesthesia is used in most cases. Some patients may experience mild discomfort or swelling at the treatment site after the procedure.

3. How long does brachytherapy treatment take?

The duration depends on the type of brachytherapy:

• LDR Brachytherapy may require a hospital stay of 1-2 days.
• HDR Brachytherapy is done in multiple outpatient sessions over several days or weeks.
• Permanent seed implants remain in the body and gradually lose radioactivity over time.

4. Are there any side effects of brachytherapy?

Side effects vary depending on the treatment area but may include:

• Localized swelling or discomfort
• Fatigue
• Urinary or bowel issues (for prostate or pelvic brachytherapy)
• Skin irritation (for head and neck cancers)

Most side effects are temporary and subside within a few weeks.

5. Can I be around family after receiving brachytherapy?

For permanent implants, patients may need to limit close contact with pregnant women and children for a short period. For temporary implants, there is no residual radiation after the implant is removed. Your doctor will provide specific guidelines.

6. How effective is brachytherapy?

Brachytherapy is highly effective in treating localized cancers and has shown excellent success rates, particularly in prostate, cervical, and breast cancers. It can be used alone or combined with external radiation and other treatments.

7. Will I need follow-up care after brachytherapy?

Types of Radioactive Seeds and Their Purpose in Brachytherapy

Radioactive seeds used in brachytherapy are tiny, sealed radiation sources implanted directly into or near a tumor to deliver targeted radiation therapy. These seeds are made from different radioactive isotopes, each with unique properties and applications.

1. Iodine-125 (I-125)

• Purpose: Used primarily for treating prostate cancer, eye tumors (ocular melanoma), and some head and neck cancers.
• Half-life: ~60 days
• Radiation type: Low-energy gamma rays
• Benefits: Provides continuous radiation over time, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

2. Palladium-103 (Pd-103)

• Purpose: Used in prostate cancer and sometimes for brain and breast cancers.
• Half-life: ~17 days
• Radiation type: Low-energy x-rays
• Benefits: Delivers radiation faster than I-125, making it suitable for aggressive tumors requiring rapid treatment.

3. Cesium-131 (Cs-131)

• Purpose: Used for prostate cancer, brain tumors, head & neck cancers, and lung cancer.
• Half-life: ~9.7 days
• Radiation type: Low-energy gamma rays
• Benefits: Shorter half-life allows for faster radiation delivery and a quicker return to normal tissue function.

4. Iridium-192 (Ir-192)

• Purpose: Commonly used in high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for cervical, prostate, breast, and lung cancers.
• Half-life: ~74 days
• Radiation type: Gamma rays
• Benefits: Can be used in temporary implants, allowing for precise control of radiation dose.

5. Gold-198 (Au-198)

• Purpose: Used for prostate cancer, liver cancer, and some brain tumors.
• Half-life: ~2.7 days
• Radiation type: Beta particles and gamma rays
• Benefits: Short half-life allows for rapid treatment with minimal long-term radiation exposure.

6. Cobalt-60 (Co-60)

• Purpose: Used for HDR brachytherapy, especially in cervical, head & neck, and breast cancers.
• Half-life: ~5.3 years
• Radiation type: Gamma rays
• Benefits: Provides a strong radiation dose and is often used in remote afterloading devices for controlled exposure.

7. Radium-226 (Ra-226)

• Purpose: Historically used for gynecological cancers, now largely replaced by safer isotopes like Ir-192 and Co-60.
• Half-life: ~1,600 years
• Radiation type: Alpha and gamma rays
• Benefits: Previously effective but now avoided due to safety concerns.