TYPES
There are three main types: high-dose-rate, low-dose-rate, and permanent brachytherapy. Whether one suits you more or the other depends on your treatment needs.
- High-dose-rate brachytherapy
In high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy, patients undergo short treatment sessions over several days. This is an outpatient procedure. Patients are generally not admitted unless in special cases.
Each session is over 10 to 20 minutes long. Once you are in a comfortable supine position, a radiation therapy team inserts a catheter inside your body cavity or where the tumor is. This procedure may be done several times a day. Brachytherapy is a painless procedure. Once the device has been removed, you may go about your day without having to worry about being given off radiation.
- Low-dose-rate brachytherapy
In low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR), patients are exposed to continuous radiation over one to two days. This requires that patients be admitted to the treatment center overnight or longer.
Your radiation therapy team will administer anesthesia before the actual procedure begins. Once done, the radioactive material is inserted into your body by hand or by machine. The entire treatment process usually takes place in a private room.
Unlike in HDR treatment, the radioactive material remains in your body for a longer period thus visitors are only allowed to visit you briefly while treatment is ongoing. Once the treatment is complete the material will be removed and visitors are totally welcome.
Permanent brachytherapy involves implanting the radioactive material, usually pellets or seeds, permanently. This is done for specific cases such as prostate cancer.
Your doctor will be placing the seeds by hand with the aid of medical imaging. Placement may cause pain, but the discomfort should not persist once the procedure is over. While you may emit radiation as the material is inside, this is usually not a cause of concern for others.
