What Is Brachytherapy? How Does It Work?
Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy used to treat cancerous tumors in the body. Learn more about this treatment option here!
Brachytherapy uses radioactive sources that are placed inside the tumor itself. This method of treatment has been shown to be effective for treating prostate cancer.
What Is Brachytheraphy?
Brachytherapy works by placing small radioactive seeds into the tumor. These seeds emit low levels of radiation over an extended period of time. This allows them to deliver a higher dose of radiation directly to the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
How Does it Work?
Brachytherapy uses tiny radioactive seeds called “seeds” to deliver high doses of radiation directly to the area where the tumor is located. The seeds are inserted through hollow needles under local anesthesia. Once the needle is removed, the seeds remain inside the patient’s body until they begin emitting radiation.
Benefits of Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy has been shown to improve survival rates among patients with certain cancers, such as prostate cancer. This form of radiation therapy also allows doctors to use smaller amounts of radiation than other forms of radiation therapy, making it an ideal treatment option for people who are sensitive to the side effects of radiation.
Side Effects of Brachytherapy Treatment
While brachytherapy is generally considered safe, there are some potential risks associated with this treatment. These risks include damage to healthy tissue surrounding the tumor, increased risk of infection, and possible infertility.