A collective term for interstitial, intracavity, and surface radiotherapy. It uses small sealed or partly-sealed sources that may be placed on or near the body surface or within a natural body cavity or implanted directly into the tissues.
A radioactive treatment in which the radioactive material actually touches the tissue being treated.
Method of cancer treatment in which sealed radioactive sources are used to deliver radiation into or near the tumor. With this method of treatment, a high radiation dose can be delivered locally to the tumor with little effect to the surrounding normal tissue. This treatment may also be called internal radiation therapy. The most common uses of brachytherapy are radioactive seed implants for prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and certain head and neck cancers. In prostate cancer, radioactive seeds (iodine-125) are implanted into the prostate gland. The seeds remain in place permanently and become inactive after about 10 months.
A type of internal radiation therapy used to treat cancer. In brachytherapy, also known as interstitial radiation therapy, a radioactive source is sealed in a container and placed on the surface of the body, near the affected area, or implanted directly into the tumor in the form of small radioactive “seeds” of gold or iodine. This procedure permits a very high but localized dose of radiation to be administered to a tumor without endangering surrounding tissue. Brachy- therapy is most often used to treat tumors of the head, neck, prostate, cervix, and breast. It is generally used in combination with external radiation. The usual side effects include inflammation, redness, scarring, and discomfort.
The use of radioactive materials in special applicators for the treatment of malignancies. Unlike teletherapy, the radioactive sources are in contact with or implanted into the tissues that are to be treated.
In radiation therapy, the use of implants of radioactive materials such as radium, cesium, iridium, or gold at the treatment site (e.g., an internal organ with a malignant lesion).
Radiation therapy administered at close range, utilizing either beta or gamma radiation. Medical procedures involving the implantation or placement of therapeutic agents using needles, inserts, or similar devices that contain radioactive materials.
A modality of radiation therapy known as brachytherapy, wherein tiny radioactive pellets are inserted internally or positioned in close proximity to the targeted treatment area. This technique is also referred to as internal radiation therapy or sealed-source radiotherapy.