What is Brachytherapy ?

What is Brachytherapy?
The word 'Brachy' means 'close distance' in Greek.
This is a form of Radiotherapy, where radioactive substance is in very close proximity to the tumor, hence reducing the risk of involving other healthy tissues around.
Also known as internal radiotherapy.
Involves placing a 'short-range radioactive source' either inside the tumor (interstitial), or near the tumor ( intracavitary)

1.Interstitial brachytherapy :

• The radioactive source is placed inside the tumor
• Mainly used for gynecological tumors , breast cancer, head and neck cancers.

Interstitial Brachytherapy

2.Intracavitary brachytherapy :

• Source placed near the tumor.
• Specialized applicators used to carry it out.
• Fletcher-Suit applicator is widely used for cervical cancer, where a tube like structure is inserted into the uterus.





Fletcher-Suit applicator

• Vaginal cylinders used for uterine and vaginal cancers.
• Heyman-Simon capsules used for uterine cancer.

Nasogastric tube

• Also,radioactive sources can be inserted into nasogastric tube for cancers of nasopharynx and oesophagus,
• Can be placed into the  biliary stent for cholangiocarcinoma, or in the lumen of bronchus for lung cancer.

Also read
Brachytherapy for prostate cancer.
Brachytherapy step-wise procedure 
What are the side-effects of Radiation therapy?
What is Radiation therapy?
5 reasons why you should study Oncology
Cancer in the 21st Century
12 causes of Cancer