Brachytherapy: Internal Radiation Therapy Explained

Brachytherapy places radioactive sources directly inside or adjacent to a tumor, delivering a high radiation dose to cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

Common Uses

• Cervical, uterine, prostate, and eye cancers.
• Also used for skin, head/neck, and lung cancers.

Two Main Types

• Interstitial: Radioactive seeds/needles inserted into the tumor.
• Intracavitary: Applicators placed in a body cavity near the tumor (e.g., uterus, vagina).

Treatment Course

Delivered in multiple sessions; duration and frequency depend on cancer type and location. Often combined with surgery, external beam radiation, or chemotherapy.