NeoLife Medical Center is a highly specialized oncology hospital where the most advanced European protocols are applied in treating patients. The hospital is equipped with the latest technology used to treat cancer patients through radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. NeoLife Medical Center, a member of the Bozlu International Group is certified by Joint Commission International (JCI) - the most prestigious institution of recognition in the medical field.
Brachytherapy, also known as sealed source radiotherapy or internal radiotherapy is a type of radiotherapy in which a small radiation source is placed inside the body, in proximity to the area requiring treatment.
This treatment can be performed alone or in conjunction with other procedures such as chemotherapy, external radiotherapy or cancer surgery.
Brachytherapy has several advantages over other types of radiotherapy or cancer treatments. The brachytherapy procedure allows doctors to treat just certain specific areas affected by cancer. Given the fact that brachytherapy has less side effects than external radiotherapy, the time between each radiation dose is shorter, leaving less time for surviving cancer cells to grow. Also, brachytherapy can effectively treat many types of cancer and its success rate is comparable to cancer surgery or external radiotherapy.
Am I Suitable for Brachytherapy?
Certain contraindications related to age, weight and lifestyle may exist, but these are heavily dependent on the brachytherapy treatment’s goal and the area affected by cancer.
An examination from a doctor and a radiation oncologist is necessary before brachytherapy treatment. The oncologist will then set up a treatment plan, taking several details into consideration. Patients may also be required to have X-rays or CTs before the brachytherapy procedure can begin.
The procedure is performed differently, according to the type of cancer the patient suffers from and the desired outcome. Usually, general or local anaesthesia is first administered to the patient.
● It can be inserted into tissue – an incision is created into the area which needs to be treated and the implant is inserted into it. This technique is usually performed to treat prostate cancer or breast cancer.
With this technique, the radioactive implant is placed inside the body for a very short period of time, usually around 15-20 minutes. Patients usually undergo this procedure a couple of times every day for up to a week.
Patients need to stay in hospital during this procedure. A low dose of radiation is continuously released for a longer period of time – it ranges from a few hours to a few days.
The radioactive implant may be placed inside the body permanently – this is usually performed on patients suffering from prostate cancer.
Patients may experience some pain and swelling, depending on the brachytherapy technique used and the area treated. Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of general anaesthesia.
Risks and complications associated with brachytherapy depend on the treated area.
Brachytherapy success rates depend on the area where the cancer is located and its spread – success rates for patients suffering from prostate cancer range from 71 to 95%, 5 years after the procedure.
Patients undergoing permanent brachytherapy will emit low doses of radiation from the treatment area so it is advised to limit time spent with children and pregnant women.
– Brachytherapy vs external beam radiation – What is the difference?
Brachytherapy affects only a specific area around the implant and it can be controlled by the doctor. External beam radiation passes through the body, sometimes affecting healthy parts of the body as well.
– Is permanent brachytherapy painful?
Not at all - you won’t feel the implant after the incision heals. The implant itself is very small.
– For how long does a permanent brachytherapy implant release radiation?
It depends on the cancer’s spread. Brachytherapy radiation levels slowly go down over the course of 1-2 weeks.