HDR Brachytherapy

• Refer a Patient
• Get an Opinion from our Experts
• Request a Call Back

BRACHYTHERAPY

Brachy means near, therapy means treatment. Brachytherapy is delivered by placing the radiation sources (Ir192) near the tumour. Our multichannel Microselectron HDR with TCS remote after loading system is a dedicated machine which delivers radiation in and around tumour. Brachytherapy can be given as under :

• Intracavitary for cancer cervix, cancer uterus.
• Intra luminal for cancer Oesophagus and bronchus
• Interstitial for Breast Cancer, soft tissue sarcoma (after initial surgery), prostate, pancreatic tumour etc.
• Surface mould for superficial cancers specially skin cancer.

These procedures may require anesthesia, a surgical procedure and a brief stay in the hospital. Patients with permanent implants may have a few restrictions at first and then can quickly return to their normal activities. Temporary implants are left inside your body for minutes, hours or days. While the radioactive sources are in place, you will stay in a private room. During the time when radiation is present in your system, doctors, nurses and other medical staff will continue to take care of you, but they will take special precautions to limit their exposure to radiation.

High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy involves the remote placement of the powerful radiation source, accurately directed by your radiation oncologist and team, into the tumor for several minutes through a tube called a catheter. It is usually given in multiple doses once or twice daily or once or twice weekly. Your doctor and team will control this treatment from outside the treatment room, monitoring you as the therapy is being given. Devices called high-dose-rate remote afterloading machines allow radiation oncologists to deliver a brachytherapy treatment quickly, in about 10 to 20 minutes. You may be able to go home shortly after the procedure.

Most patients feel little discomfort during brachytherapy. If the radioactive source is held in place with an applicator, you may feel discomfort from the applicator. There are medications that can relieve this discomfort. If you feel weak or queasy from the anesthesia, ask your radiation oncologist for medication to make you feel better.

Depending on the type of brachytherapy you receive, you may need to take some precautions after you leave your treatment, particularly if you plan to be around young children or pregnant women. This impacts only those with permanent implants, not temporary implants as they are removed after treatment. Ask your radiation oncologist or radiation oncology nurse about anything special you should know.

Brachytherapy may be used alone or in conjunction with external radiation treatments. Your radiation oncologist will advise you of the sequencing of these treatments that is appropriate for you.