Brachytherapy: A Precision Approach to Cancer Treatment
Brachytherapy, also known as internal radiation therapy, is a highly targeted cancer treatment technique that involves placing a radioactive source directly inside or near a tumor. Unlike external beam radiation therapy, which delivers radiation from outside the body, brachytherapy allows for a concentrated dose of radiation to reach the cancerous tissue while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy organs. This precise approach makes it an effective treatment for several cancers, including prostate, cervical, breast, and skin cancers.
How Brachytherapy Works
In brachytherapy, small radioactive implants—often called seeds, ribbons, or capsules—are positioned within the tumor or in a cavity near it. These implants emit radiation over a specific period, destroying cancer cells and preventing their growth. Depending on the treatment plan, brachytherapy can be temporary or permanent.
Temporary Brachytherapy: In this method, the radioactive source is placed in the body for a short time, ranging from a few minutes to several days. Once the prescribed dose has been delivered, the source is removed.
Permanent Brachytherapy: Also called seed implantation, this technique involves leaving small radioactive pellets permanently in place. Over time, the radiation decays and the inactive seeds remain harmless within the tissue.
The procedure is typically guided by imaging technologies such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans to ensure accurate placement of the radiation source. This precision helps reduce side effects and improves treatment effectiveness.
Types and Applications of Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy can be administered in various dose rates—low-dose rate (LDR), high-dose rate (HDR), or pulsed-dose rate (PDR)—depending on the patient’s condition and the type of cancer being treated.
Prostate Cancer: Brachytherapy is one of the most common treatments for localized prostate cancer. LDR brachytherapy seeds are often implanted to deliver radiation over several months.
Cervical and Uterine Cancer: HDR brachytherapy is widely used after surgery or chemotherapy to target residual cancer cells, significantly improving outcomes for patients.
Breast Cancer: Partial breast irradiation using brachytherapy helps deliver focused radiation after lumpectomy, reducing treatment time and preserving healthy breast tissue.
Head and Neck, Skin, and Eye Cancers: Brachytherapy is also employed for superficial and localized tumors in sensitive regions where surgical removal is difficult.
Advantages of Brachytherapy
One of the greatest benefits of brachytherapy is its high precision. Because the radiation source is positioned directly at the tumor site, a stronger dose can be delivered locally without increasing toxicity to nearby organs. Treatment times are often shorter compared to traditional external beam radiation, and recovery is typically faster.
Other key advantages include:
Reduced damage to healthy tissues
Fewer side effects compared to conventional radiotherapy
Outpatient procedures in many cases
Shorter hospital stays and quicker return to normal activities
Effective results for early-stage and localized cancers
Risks and Side Effects
While brachytherapy is generally safe, patients may experience mild side effects depending on the treated area. These can include temporary swelling, discomfort, fatigue, or urinary and bowel changes. In most cases, these effects are short-lived and manageable. Regular follow-up appointments help ensure that healing progresses as expected and that the cancer has been effectively controlled.
Future Outlook and Innovations
Advancements in imaging, robotic delivery systems, and personalized dosimetry are enhancing the precision and safety of brachytherapy. Researchers are exploring combination therapies that integrate brachytherapy with immunotherapy and chemotherapy to achieve better long-term outcomes. Additionally, the development of real-time adaptive planning allows clinicians to adjust the treatment during the procedure, further improving accuracy.