Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is an internal radiation therapy therapy that uses small seed-like implants inside the body to deliver radiation. About the size of a grain of rice, implants are placed near or inside a cancerous tumor to deliver radiation directly to cancer cells. Brachytherapy treats certain types of cancer, particularly localized cancer that has not spread beyond its original tumor location. It targets cancer cells to eliminate them, while helping to preserve healthy tissue.

Brachytherapy can treat several different types of cancer, notably prostate, cervical, and head and neck cancers, as well as other tumors. Occasionally, brachytherapy treatment supplements external radiation or replaces surgery entirely as part of a cancer treatment plan. While most often used to treat cancer, brachytherapy may treat other conditions as well.

Penn Medicine has a dedicated team of experienced, board-certified radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, medical physicists, dosimetrists (who specialize in radiation dosing levels), and nurses dedicated to radiation technologies, such as brachytherapy. Our staff has specialized training in treating even the most complex cancer cases with effective care plans and compassion.

There are two types of brachytherapy treatment options. They vary based on the radiation dosage, length of treatment, and whether an inpatient or outpatient procedure is required.

• Low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy: This surgical procedure places LDR brachytherapy implants (also known as seeds or pellets) permanently into a tumor or nearby body cavity. It’s also known as permanent brachytherapy because radioactive implants remain in the body for lengthy periods, from days to weeks or more, delivering radiation slowly over time or until they become inactive. You may be required to stay in the hospital during treatment.
• High-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy: This outpatient procedure, also known as temporary brachytherapy, delivers HDR radiation seeds through thin tubes called catheters. High-dose treatments last for a short amount of time, often 10 to 20 minutes, then the tubes and implants are removed. Regular treatments are often needed on a schedule determined by your doctor.

Penn Medicine offers high-dose rate brachytherapy exclusively.

You’re a good candidate for brachytherapy if your cancer is localized and has not spread beyond its original location. Your overall health and type and stage of cancer also help determine whether HDR brachytherapy is right for you. While primarily used to treat cancer, brachytherapy may be used to treat other health conditions in certain circumstances, particularly heart-related ailments.

If you are receiving cancer treatment, your Penn Medicine care team will evaluate whether brachytherapy is the best option for your care. Brachytherapy may be preferred over external radiation treatment and surgery for certain cancers because it is equally effective and offers shorter treatment periods, fewer or milder side effects, and little downtime after treatment.

Many different types of cancer can be effectively treated through brachytherapy, including:

• Prostate cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Breast cancer
• Skin cancer
• Sarcoma
• Head and neck cancer

To prepare for brachytherapy treatment, your doctor may perform a physical exam, ask about the medications you use, and order imaging tests to pinpoint the size and location of a tumor in advance of your treatment. You may be asked to avoid certain medications and tobacco use before brachytherapy treatment.

• Your procedure will be performed in a clinic or hospital setting on an outpatient basis.
• You may be given a sedative or anesthesia to keep you relaxed and comfortable.
• Images of the target area may be taken during the procedure to guide placement of the thin tubes that deliver the radiation implants.
• Thin tubes will be inserted precisely to carry the radiation implants.
• Radiation implants will be sent through the tubes to treat the tumor. Typically, this process lasts for up to 20 minutes, though the time may vary.
• Once all the radiation has been delivered, the radiation implants are withdrawn, and the tubes are removed.

After receiving a HDR brachytherapy treatment, your doctor may recommend that you rest and avoid strenuous activities. You may experience some soreness in the area where tubes were placed. If you have discomfort, your doctor can advise you on medications or other treatment options to relieve any pain.

While HDR brachytherapy uses radiation at the time of treatment, it releases that radiation from your body at the end of each treatment. It poses no radiation exposure risk to family members, children, or those who are pregnant, so you needn’t be concerned about proximity to others after receiving treatment.

Additional brachytherapy side effects may depend on the area being treated, for example, brachytherapy for prostate cancer and brachytherapy for cervical cancer may have different impacts. Talk with your doctor about any side effects that may result from your individual case.

At Penn Medicine, we focus on providing radiation treatments that minimize side effects while delivering the best possible treatment outcomes. You’ll receive care from a skilled, multidisciplinary team that includes radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists, and medical physicists experienced in providing brachytherapy treatments. You’ll also be assigned to a radiation oncology nurse who will follow you one-on-one throughout your treatment. Your nurse will advise you on how to take medications, manage side effects, care for your skin, and answer any questions you have.

We offer a full suite of standard and advanced radiation therapies, along with clinical research trials that provide eligible patients with the latest treatment options before they are widely available. Our facilities have earned accreditation by the American Society for Radiation Oncology. This recognition shows Penn Medicine’s commitment to the highest standards of safety and care, so you can feel confident in receiving effective brachytherapy treatments that fit your specific care needs.