Nuclear Oncology

Permanent Brachytherapy

In permanent brachytherapy, also called seed implantation, needles that were previously filled with radioactive seeds are inserted into the tumor. Then, the needle or device is removed and the radioactive seeds are left. You can also implant the seeds using a device that inserts them individually at regular intervals. You may also use X-rays, ultrasound or CT scans to help the doctor position the seeds. Possibly other imaging tests performed after implantation to verify the placement of the seeds.

Temporary Brachytherapy

In temporary brachytherapy, the tumor is placed inside a delivery device, such as a catheter, needle, or applicator, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, MRI or CT scan to help position the radiation sources. Can be inserted into a body cavity like the vagina or uterus delivery device (intracavitary brachytherapy) or can be inserted into the tissues of the body applicator (usually needles or catheters) (interstitial brachytherapy).

The treatments can be administered in a high dose rate (HDR) or low dose rate (LDR). Treatments can also be administered in periodic pulses (dose rate in beats or PDR).

The dose rate brachytherapy to high (HDR) is usually an outpatient procedure, although patients are sometimes admitted to the hospital for several HDR treatments using the same applicator. With HDR brachytherapy, tumor applies to a specific dose of radiation in a short burst using a remote afterloading unit. The treatment lasts only a few minutes, but the entire procedure (including placement of the delivery device) may take several hours. Can be repeated several times a day before they remove the supply device and the patient returns home. Patients may receive up to 10 separate treatments HDR brachytherapy for one to several weeks.

The brachytherapy with low dose rate (LDR), the patient receives radiation delivered at a rate continuously for several hours or days. The patient receiving LDR brachytherapy overnight in the hospital for the delivery device may be left during the treatment period. It provides the dose rate brachytherapy in pulses (PDR) so the treatment is similar but occurs in periodic pulses (usually one per hour) rather than continuously. The physician can manually insert the radioactive material through the delivery device and then remove the material and the delivery device once treatment is completed.

Alternatively, the patient may be transferred to a shielded treatment room contains a remote afterloading unit, which inserts radioactive material delivery device into the tumor site. The radioactive material is removed automatically when someone enters the room the patient and the treatment is completed.

After the treatment, the patient is taken out, the delivery device.