High Dose Rate Brachytherapy

Also referred to as interstitial radiation therapy, HDR brachytherapy is a relatively new form of advanced radiation technology. The the physicians of the Cancer Treatment Group have been specially trained to use HDR brachytherapy, using it to treat cervical and endometrial cancer. It can also be employed as a treatment for cancers of the Breast, Prostate, and Lung . With HDR brachytherapy, the radiation is placed directly inside the vaginal cavity after the removal of the cancerous tissue, thereby providing excellent coverage of possible microscopic extensions of the cancer. HDR brachytherapy allows the precise application of the maximum dose of radiation and ensures only a minimal amount of radiation reaches the surrounding, healthy tissue. In many cases, brachytherapy is an effective alternative to the surgical removal of cervical cancer tumors inside the uterus. Performed on an outpatient basis, HDR brachytherapy treatment courses can be form three to 10 treatments, depending on the type of cancer being treated.

Advantages Of HDR Brachytherapy

  • short course of treatment compared to other types of radiation treatment
  • few side effects
  • preserves surrounding tissue
  • accuracy and precision delivery of the radiation dose
  • minimizes areas of radiation overdose or under dose