The Online Asbestos, Asbestos Cancer, & Mesothelioma Authority
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy used to treat mesothelioma and other cancers. It involves the placement of radioactive material inside or next to a cancerous area. It is also known as sealed source radiotherapy, internal radiation therapy, or endocurietherapy (1).
Brachytherapy is sometimes favored for the treatment of mesothelioma because it enables the treatment of a small area with a high dose of radiation. Because the radiation source is localized, radiation exposure to healthy tissue is minimized. This allows for higher doses of radiation than would be possible with external beam radiation (2).
In brachytherapy, a radioactive source in a form of a "seed," or small pallet, is placed in the body via surgery or through a body cavity. In some cases, the seed is placed temporarily and later extracted. It can also be permanently placed, in which case the radioactive source will lose its radioactivity within several weeks, remaining in the body as a harmless pellet (3).
The radioactive material is inserted in the body through a needle, catheter, or applicator. Sometimes the insertion process is performed through a computer-controlled device, which will help ensure precise placement. The procedure is relatively quick and typically requires only local anesthesia. Depending on how the brachytherapy is administered, it may be an outpatient procedure, or patients may need to remain in the hospital for several days (2).
Immediate side effects include soreness near the insertion point. Additional side effects may appear later as a result of the radiation, and they will vary depending on the location of the cancer being treated (3). Because of the presence of radiation, patients may need to limit their exposure to those especially vulnerable to the effects of radiation, including pregnant women and small children (3).
- Weichselbaum, Ralph R., M.D., et al. (1997) "Biological and Physical Basis of Radiation Oncology." Cancer Medicine. Volume 1, 4th ed., 697-726.
- Abeloff, Martin D., M.D., et al. (2004) Clinical Oncology, "Brachytherapy," 2112-2115 3rd ed. .
- "What is Brachytherapy?" Information provided by the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) Available: http://www.americanbrachytherapy.org/aboutBrachytherapy/brachy.cfm (Accessed July 11, 2007)