OnCo
termsTerm

Brachytherapy (internal radiotherapy)

aka brachytherapy boost, HDR brachytherapy, LDR brachytherapy, seed implant, interstitial brachytherapy, intracavitary

Radiotherapy from the inside: radioactive seeds or a temporary source are placed in or next to the tumour, so the dose falls off steeply and nearby organs are spared.

Low-dose-rate seeds (iodine-125) permanently implanted in the prostate cure low-risk disease as well as surgery; high-dose-rate brachytherapy boosts external beam in intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer (ASCENDE-RT) and is essential for cervical cancer, where image-guided brachytherapy to ≥85 Gy EQD2 drives cure (EMBRACE). Also used for oesophageal palliation, skin, breast (partial-breast) and eye (plaque for uveal melanoma). It needs skilled operators and access has declined in some countries as external-beam options improved.

Category
Procedures

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