Brachytherapy: Symptoms, Classification, Diagnosis & Recovery

“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method, highly radioactive particles are placed in a catheter or slender tube for a specific amount of time and then withdrawn.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.

Before undergoing brachytherapy, patients may experience various signs and symptoms related to their specific type of cancer. These symptoms can vary depending on the location and stage of the cancer. However, some common signs and symptoms that may prompt the consideration of brachytherapy include:

• Presence of a tumor or abnormal growth
• Changes in bowel or bladder habits
• Abnormal bleeding
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Skin changes
• Unexplained weight loss or fatigue