Brachytherapy Cancer Treatment

Safe and effective, from the inside-out.

Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy that uses radiation in the form of implants, or seeds, to target localized areas. Brachytherapy cancer therapy is recommended to treat prostate, gynecological, lung, skin, and certain forms of breast cancers.

Our doctors favor brachytherapy for its ability to preserve the organ, tissues and function of the cancer site, which brings our patients peace and security.

Brachytherapy cancer therapy is recommended to treat prostate, breast, gynecological, lung (mesothelioma) and skin cancers and requires a minimally-invasive surgery to deliver the radiotherapy.

• Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy (LDR)
  Also known as 'Permanent Brachytherapy'. Usually, LDR Brachytherapy is delivered in the form of many seed implants that are permanent placed in the localized zone.
• High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HDR)
  Also known as 'Temporary Brachytherapy'. HDR Brachytherapy delivers a single therapeutic dose of radiation, placed temporarily to the local area of cancer within the body

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Brachytherapy Cancer Treatment Benefits

Brachytherapy is one type of radiotherapy that can safely deliver a higher-than-normal dose of radiation energy precisely to its target: the cancerous tumor. Also, it is a same-day procedure. Most patients report recovery within a day or two and do not suffer side effects. Advantages include:

• Image-Guided Placement for Precision
• Releases Radiotherapy from the Tumor Site
• No Surgical Incisions
• Short Recovery Time
• Few, if Any, Side Effects
• Great Solution for Localized Cancers

Brachytherapy Cancer Treatment Procedure and Technique

Radiation Oncology Consultation

During your consultation with Coastal CyberKnife & Radiation Oncology, you will find answers to the questions you have and learn about life-saving positive solutions that we offer to defeat cancer.

We will review, in detail, your medical and family history, overall health and concerns to discern:

• Radiotherapy Solutions Recommendations
• Therapy Management Options
• Potential Side Effects and What It Means to You
• Address Concerns Your Family May Have
• Answers to Procedures and Techniques
• Alternative Treatment Options

Initial consultations with our caring physicians can be expected to last 1 to 2 hours in duration.

Phase I: Cancer Treatment Planning and Verification

Planning a brachytherapy treatment generally includes Image-Guided Brachytherapy to map-out the tumor area and guide placement of seeds or catheters.

• LDR/ Permanent Therapy
  Our doctors will map out the affected area to determine where placement of the radiotherapy. Anywhere from 50 to more than 100 seeds may be implanted into cancer sites.
• HDR/ Temporary Therapy
  A minimally-invasive procedure such as this is planned through imagery of the actual site and surrounding organs/tissue. Our doctor will then prescribe a specific dosage to your needs and deliver all of the information to the physics team to organize the tools for insertion. A single seed is usually implanted in HDR Brachytherapy.

Phase II: Cancer Therapy Delivery

Our doctor will again take images prior to treatment to effectively target the tumor's exact location and size - and to verify the optimal amount of seeds and their placement.

Patients will be asked not to eat for a period of time before treatment delivery and are often given anesthesia.

• LDR/ Permanent Therapy
  Brachytherapy seeds will usually be pre-loaded according to the doctor's dosage prescription of either Palladium-103- or Iodine-125. Seeds will be carefully placed with a single goal in mind: to adequately target the area of cancer without disturbing surrounding organs or tissue.
• HDR/ Temporary Therapy
  Patients may be set-up with an applicator to the cancer site and then have a dosage (that may be molded to replicate the shape of the tumor) delivered precisely to the area. This makes out-patient service very friendly. Dosage may last 2-10 sessions.

Post-Treatment: Quality Assurance

After treatment delivery, you will be allowed to rest until anesthesia wears off and you may return to your usual daily routines. Follow your doctor's specific instructions, which may include no heavy lifting or strenuous activities. This may be suggested for 3-5 days post-treatment.

Follow-ups begin 3 months after the procedure, and then be repeated every 6-12 months. We will be looking at any side effects you may be facing as well as evaluating to ensure shrinkage of cancer tumor(s).

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Disclaimer: The material on the CoastalCyberKnife.com website is informational only and should not be used in place of advice from a medical professional. If you have questions about a specific treatment, please ask our radiation oncologists by calling our locations of practice.

Fort Pierce: (772) 293-0377
Port St. Lucie: (772) 336-2797
Okeechobee: (863) 467-9500