Filters
Brachytherapy is a medical treatment used to treat many cancers and other illnesses. It entails introducing radioactive material internally. This is known as internal radiation at times.
External radiation is a different kind of radiation that is used more frequently than brachytherapy. When receiving external radiation, a machine revolves around you, aiming radiation beams at particular body parts.
Factors that affect the cost of Brachytherapy:
- Brachytherapy comes in a variety of forms, including high-dose-rate (HDR) and low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy. When opposed to LDR brachytherapy, HDR brachytherapy can be more expensive due to the potential need for specialist equipment and shorter treatment durations.
- Type and Location of Cancer: The complexity and length of the brachytherapy operation depend on the type, size, and location of the cancer that needs to be treated. Tumors in difficult-to-reach places might need more imaging, preparation, and specialist equipment, which could raise the cost of treatment.
- Number of Treatments: Depending on the type and stage of the cancer, the intended course of treatment, and the particular brachytherapy technique employed, a certain number of treatments may be needed. Costs usually go up with more treatments because there are more facility and medical expenditures.
- Resources and Equipment: The utilization of specialist equipment, radiation sources, and medical professionals are all included in the cost of brachytherapy. The expenses of treatment may increase if brachytherapy facilities do not invest in personnel training, quality assurance initiatives, or equipment upkeep.
- Medical Staff and Experience: The safety and effectiveness of brachytherapy are influenced by the knowledge and skills of the medical staff administering the treatment. Facilities that employ highly qualified medical physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists, and radiation oncologists may bill more for their services.
- Facility Fees: The price of brachytherapy covers facility fees, which cover maintenance, utilities, and overhead for using the treatment facility. Whether the procedure is carried out in a hospital, outpatient clinic, or specialized radiation therapy center can affect the cost.
- Before treatment Imaging and Planning: To accurately target the tumor and reduce radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissues, patients undergo imaging investigations (such as CT and MRI) and treatment planning before to brachytherapy. The total cost is influenced by the cost of treatment planning, imaging, and simulation.
- Anesthetic and Sedation: During brachytherapy procedures, certain patients may need anesthetic or sedation, especially if they are uncomfortable or nervous. Treatment expenses as a whole are increased by anesthesia services.
- Following therapy Monitoring and Follow-up: In order to evaluate treatment response and control side effects, patients usually need imaging examinations, monitoring, and follow-up consultations following brachytherapy. The entire cost of care is impacted by these continuous medical services.
- Geographic Location: The cost of treatment might vary based on one's location; higher prices are typically linked to areas where healthcare services are more in demand or where living expenses are higher.
| Country | Cost | Local_currency |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | USD 6500 - 16000 | 5135 - 12640 |
| Turkey | USD 5748 - 12568 | 173245 - 378800 |
| Spain | USD 24000 | 22080 |
| United States | USD 17183 - 37900 | 17183 - 37900 |
| Singapore | USD 20000 | 26800 |
“Brachytherapy”, also called “Internal radiation therapy”, represents an advanced approach within the realm of radiation therapy, a cornerstone of cancer treatment. Unlike conventional external beam radiation therapy, which emanates radiation from a machine outside the body, brachytherapy involves placing radioactive particles or sources directly inside or adjacent to the tumor site.
By doing so, brachytherapy delivers a targeted, high dose of radiation precisely to the tumor, while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This focused delivery allows for the administration of high radiation doses to specific areas of the body, enhancing treatment efficacy.
This therapy finds application in the treatment of various cancers, including cervical, prostate, breast, skin, lung, head and neck, and gum cancer, among others. Particularly, it is a widely utilized procedure for prostate cancer treatment, offering an alternative to surgery for gum cancer patients who may be unfit or do not require surgical intervention. One of the notable advantages of brachytherapy lies in its efficiency, as treatment completion often requires fewer sessions compared to conventional radiotherapy techniques. Moreover, many patients undergo brachytherapy on an outpatient basis, further enhancing its accessibility and convenience. Overall, brachytherapy is well-tolerated by patients, with fewer side effects reported, making it a valuable therapeutic option in the fight against cancer.
Types of Brachytherapy
There are two types of brachytherapy treatment:
Temporary brachytherapy: In this method, highly radioactive particles are placed in a catheter or slender tube for a specific amount of time and then withdrawn. Temporary brachytherapy can be administered at either a low-dose rate (LDR) or a high-dose rate (HDR).
Permanent brachytherapy: In this method, a radioactive seed or pellet is implanted in or near the tumor and left there permanently. After several months, the radioactivity level of the implanted seed eventually diminishes to nothing.
A type of internal radiation therapy called brachytherapy is used to treat cancers of the skin, breast, prostate, and cervical areas. In order to deliver targeted radiation and efficiently kill cancer cells while limiting exposure to nearby healthy tissue, radioactive material is placed inside or close to the tumor.
Get in touch with your doctor right away if you have severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or difficulty breathing or swallowing. You should also seek help for symptoms like faecal or urine incontinence. These symptoms may indicate serious adverse effects that require immediate medical attention.
Preparation may involve blood testing, imaging tests (CT, MRI, or ultrasound), and at times an assessment of anesthetic. Depending on the location of the cancer, you might need to stop taking some medications, fast before the surgery, and follow specific hygiene or bladder-emptying instructions.
Brachytherapy involves positioning Radioactive material inside or close to the tumour. Small radioactive seeds, wires, or pellets may be inserted using applicators, catheters, or needles; the technique may be temporary or permanent, depending on the nature and location of the tumours. The treatment may be guided by imaging (like ultrasound or CT) and is usually done in an outpatient setting or with a short hospital stay.
HDR brachytherapy is often performed as an outpatient procedure and lasts 10 to 30 minutes. After 1-2 hours of LDR brachytherapy, radioactive seeds are permanently left in the body.
- Difficulty peeing
- Urinary incontinence
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Vaginal scarring
- Faecal (bowel) incontinence, constipation or diarrhoea
- Nausea and vomiting
High radiation doses are sent directly to the tumor with this treatment, protecting healthy tissue in the process. For localized malignancies, it has a high efficacy rate, fewer side effects, and a shorter treatment duration.
Post-operative recovery from brachytherapy is typically faster than that from external radiation, depending on the type and site of treatment. Although insignificant side effects like tiredness, bowel or urine abnormalities, and local discomfort may occur, most patients are able to return to their regular activities in a matter of days. Rest, proper hydration, and follow-up care promote a speedy recovery and help detect any delayed side effects.
The success rate of brachytherapy for localised tumours, such as breast, cervical, and prostate cancer, is high and frequently ranges from 85% to over 95%.
Would you like some help? We are available.
Get Help Explore Hospitals ( 155 )
Saudi German Hospital
Cairo, Egypt
- Saudi German Hospital, Cairo, is a leading tertiary care hospital in Egypt, delivering comprehensive, patient-centric healthcare across a wide spectrum of medical and surgical specialities.
- As part of the Saudi German Hospitals Group, the hospital combines international clinical standards with advanced medical technology to provide high-quality diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care.
- The hospital is internationally accredited and recognised for excellence in patient safety, clinical outcomes, and service quality. With access to global expertise through the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Saudi German Hospital Cairo offers multidisciplinary care supported by evidence-based practices and collaborative medical decision-making.
- Backed by highly skilled medical professionals, modern infrastructure, and a strong commitment to innovation, SGH Cairo serves both local and international patients seeking advanced medical treatments, complex procedures, and personalised care in a trusted tertiary healthcare setting.
Saudi German Hospital
Alexandria, Egypt
- Saudi German Hospital Alexandria is a modern tertiary care hospital delivering comprehensive, patient-centric healthcare across multiple medical specialities.
- Backed by the Saudi German Hospitals Group’s regional expertise and international accreditations, the hospital offers advanced diagnostics, evidence-based treatments, and high clinical safety standards.
- With state-of-the-art technology, experienced multidisciplinary teams, and strong global partnerships, it provides reliable, high-quality care to both local and international patients.
Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram
Gurgaon, India
- Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, is a 250-bed multi-speciality tertiary care hospital, formerly known as W Pratiksha Hospital.
- A major medical centre for Delhi NCR and North India, it is situated on Golf Course Extension Road, Sector 56, Gurugram.
- The hospital's NABH and NABL accreditation ensures compliance with international standards for patient care, safety, and quality.
- Provides extensive medical care in more than 21 specialities, including as women's health, neurology, orthopaedics, cardiology, and cancer.
- Advanced robotic-assisted spine surgery tools and neuro-monitoring technology are available at the Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro & Spine (MAIINS), a Centre of Excellence in Neurosciences.
- Equipped with cutting-edge equipment, such as automated labs, sophisticated imaging, and contemporary operating rooms.
- Features specialised ICUs, NICUs, and modular OTs built for complex and minimally invasive procedures.
Jaslok Hospital & Research Center
Mumbai, India
- Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai, is a 350-bed super-speciality tertiary care hospital, established in 1973 and among India’s most respected private trust hospitals.
- Located on Peddar Road in South Mumbai, overlooking the Arabian Sea, it serves as a major referral centre for Mumbai, Maharashtra, and patients from across India and abroad.
- The hospital offers comprehensive care across 50+ specialities and nearly 20 multidisciplinary speciality clinics, addressing complex and advanced medical conditions.
- Supported by 300+ senior consultants and 200 resident doctors, ensuring high standards of expertise and round-the-clock patient care.
- Equipped with 75 ICU beds, advanced critical care units, modular operation theatres, and state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging facilities.
- Recognised as a leading centre of excellence in Critical Care, Cardiac Sciences, Neurosciences, Oncosciences, Renal Sciences, Gastroenterology, and Assisted Reproduction.
- A prominent research and academic institution, conducting clinical trials and recognised by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) in 22 specialities.
- Strong emphasis on quality, patient safety, and evidence-based care, with continuous monitoring of clinical and operational outcomes to meet international healthcare standards.
Shefaa Al Orman
Luxor, Egypt
- Established in 2016, Shefa Al Orman has committed to being the premier provider of comprehensive cancer care in Egypt and has dedicated itself solely to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Combining the most advanced technologies with an approach that focuses on each individual, Shefa Al Orman's multidisciplinary team of medical professionals provides safe and effective pain management and symptom control, utilising cutting-edge technology and the latest techniques in oncology. The high-quality oncology services delivered by Shefa Al Orman are not only available to the people of Egypt but also to patients from across Egypt and worldwide, thanks to the facility's internationally recognised standards and modern facilities.
Need Some Advice From Our Experts?
Request a Call Back Now!
Our team of healthcare experts would be happy to assist you
+99Process Involved for Brachytherapy
- Consultation: Discuss the diagnosis, treatment options, and appropriateness of brachytherapy with an oncologist or radiation oncologist.
- Pre-Treatment Assessment: Imaging tests are used to determine the tumour's exact size and location.
- Treatment Planning: Precise positioning of radioactive sources within or near the tumor is planned with precise imaging. The treatment is personalised for every patient to decrease exposure to radiation of surrounding healthy tissue.
- Delivery of Treatment: To provide large doses of radiation to the tumor and spare nearby tissues, small radioactive sources are placed inside or near the cancer for a limited period.
- Follow-Up: Regular follow-up visits are scheduled after treatment to monitor the response of the tumor, manage side effects, and search for recurrence.
- Prostate cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Skin cancer
- Patients with locally confined malignancies, particularly prostate, cervical, uterine, breast, and lung malignancies, are recommended to receive brachytherapy.
- Those patients who cannot undergo surgery or have cancers in their initial stages are helped by it.
- The patient's overall health determines the eligibility for such treatment in addition to the tumour type, stage, and site.
- Radiation therapy
- Surgical procedures for tumor access
- For a more extensive course of treatment, it can be combined with other therapies such as surgery or external beam radiation.
- Most useful in the case of localised malignancies when surgery cannot be performed.
- Fill out the inquiry form: Fill out the form to provide us with the relevant information about your condition.
- Consult with Our Healthcare Expert:One of our qualified specialists will contact you for a consultation
- Receive a Detailed Treatment Plan:After examining your situation, we will provide you with a detailed treatment plan that includes expert views and cost breakdowns for various choices.
- Choose your preferred option: Choose the treatment option that suits you the best.
