Brachytherapy (General)

Brachytherapy is divided into three methods: Permanent implantation In permanent implantation the radiation source is implanted into the tumor permanently. The radioactive material is typically placed by hand with the guidance of an imaging test, such as ultrasound or CT. You may feel pain during the placement of radioactive material, but you shouldn't feel any discomfort once it's in place. Your body will emit low doses of radiation from the area being treated at first. Usually the risk to others is minimal and may not require any restrictions about who can be near you. In some cases, for a short period of time you may be asked to limit the length and frequency of visits with pregnant women or with children. The amount of radiation in your body will diminish with time, and restrictions will be discontinued.The radiation source will be as small as a sesame seed and a very small amount of low-level radiation will be released slowly until the source is depleted. This type of brachytherapy is often used for the treatment of low risk localized prostate cancer. Low dose rate brachytherapy: During low-dose-rate brachytherapy, a continuous low dose of radiation is released over time — from several hours to several days. You'll typically stay in the hospital while the radiation is in place. Radioactive material is placed in your body by hand or by machine. Brachytherapy devices may be positioned during surgery, which may require anesthesia or sedation to help you remain still during the procedure and to reduce discomfort.You'll likely stay in a private room in the hospital during low-dose-rate brachytherapy. Because the radioactive material stays inside your body, there is a small chance it could harm other people. For this reason, visitors will be restricted.Children and pregnant women shouldn't visit you in the hospital. Others may visit briefly once a day or so. Your health care team will still give you the care you need, but may restrict the amount of time they spend in your room. You shouldn't feel pain during low-dose-rate brachytherapy. Keeping still and remaining in your hospital room for days may be uncomfortable. If you feel any discomfort, tell your health care team. After a designated amount of time, the radioactive material is removed from your body. Once brachytherapy treatment is complete, you're free to have visitors without restrictions. High-dose-rate brachytherapy: High-dose-rate brachytherapy is often an outpatient procedure, which means each treatment session is brief and doesn't require that you be admitted to the hospital. During high-dose-rate brachytherapy, radioactive material is placed in your body for a short period — from a few minutes up to 20 minutes. You may undergo one or two sessions a day over a number of days or weeks. You'll lie in a comfortable position during high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Your radiation therapy team will position the radiation device. This may be a simple tube or tubes placed inside a body cavity or small needles inserted into the tumor. The radioactive material is inserted into the brachytherapy device with the help of a computerized machine. Your radiation therapy team will leave the room during your brachytherapy session. They'll observe from a nearby room where they can see and hear you. You shouldn't feel any pain during brachytherapy, but if you feel uncomfortable or have any concerns, be sure to tell your caregivers.Once the radioactive material is removed from your body, you won't give off radiation or be radioactive. You aren't a danger to other people, and you can go on with your usual activities. The doctor will determine the most appropriate type of treatment for each patient by considering the following factors: -The location of the tumor -The size of the tumor -Risk classification for localized prostate cancer