Brachytherapy
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Radiotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses energy carried by waves or a stream of particles that can alter a cancer cell's genetic material, rendering continued growth impossible. Brachytherapy, also known as sealed source radiotherapy and endocurietherapy, is a type of radiotherapy in which radiation is delivered inside the area requiring treatment. Because brachytherapy precisely targets cancer cells, there is less damage to normal cells and therefore it generally causes fewer and less serious side effects than conventional radiotherapy. Used to treat a number of cancers, this therapy can be a highly effective tool and a vital component in your comprehensive treatment plan. To learn more about brachytherapy applications and side effects, please continue reading or contact an Oncology Information Specialist today to learn more about how Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) can help you with your cancer. You can also contact one of our specialists at 800-615-3055.
Brachytherapy Treatment Options
There are three types of brachytherapy:
- Surface applicator or mold brachytherapy, in which superficial tumors are treated using sealed sources placed close to the skin.
- Interstitial brachytherapy, in which radiation sources are inserted into the tissue itself; for example, prostate cancer brachytherapy employs the insertion of a series of tiny catheters into and around the tumor.
- Intracavity brachytherapy, in which sources of radiation are placed inside a body cavity, is often used for gynecological cancers.
Prostate Cancer Brachytherapy is often utilized by Cancer Treatment Centers of America as part of a potential sphincter-sparing treatment plan that can reduce recovery time, lower the likelihood of impotence, and reduce the chance that a colostomy will be required, compared to a radical prostatectomy. Since the radiation is placed directly inside the tumor, prostate brachytherapy is a quicker and more effective method of administering radiation therapy. This allows the majority of the radiation dose to be delivered to the precise location that it is needed most, while sparing more of the surrounding healthy tissue from coincidental exposure. To learn more about prostate brachytherapy side effects, or to see if this treatment might be right for you, an Oncology Information Specialist is available at 800-615-3055, by Email, or you can engage in a prostate cancer brachytherapy chat right now.
An innovative form of breast cancer brachytherapy used by CTCA is MammoSite Radiation Therapy System (RTS). As a less invasive method of delivering radiation, MammoSite RTS is the first breast cancer treatment to deliver radiation directly to the original tumor site, which is where a recurrence is most likely. Administering radiation therapy in this manner allows treatment to be completed in four to five days rather than the seven weeks that external bean radiation therapy requires. The site specific approach of MammoSite RTS is also very effective in reducing the severity of brachytherapy side effects that a breast cancer patient experiences, such as irritation of healthy tissue. To learn more about MammoSite RTS, or to see if it is right for you, contact an Oncology Information Specialist at CTCA today.
High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy is an innovative, aggressive form of brachytherapy which CTCA radiation oncologists use to treat breast, cervix, lung, prostate, rectum, tongue, and uterine cancers. It can greatly reduce treatment time, recovery time, and the potential for brachytherapy side effects.
Brachytherapy Side Effects & Benefits
Radiation therapy is often used in combination with other forms of cancer treatment, especially when surgery is not an ideal option. Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy that delivers the dose of radiation to the effected areas directly. Administering radiation therapy in this manner greatly shortens the duration of the treatment, in fact prostate cancer brachytherapy can often take one and a half days rather than the 5-7 weeks of traditional radiation. Delivering radiation in this concentrated way may also reduce the instance of radiation exposure to healthy tissues within the body. Due to these advantages, brachytherapy side effects are often less severe. There is noticeably less irritation of the skin than is associated with external radiation. To learn more about potential advantages and brachytherapy side effects, contact CTCA at 800-615-3055 today. There are Oncology Information Specialists standing by to help you understand all the treatment options available to you, or if you prefer, you can request a new patient appointment at one of our hospitals.
Brachytherapy & Complete Cancer Care
At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, we are committed to informing you of every available option for your treatment and we encourage you to be actively involved in each and every decision made throughout the process. We encourage you to incorporate both conventional treatments, like brachytherapy, and complementary therapies, like nutrition therapy, into your care plan. No two patients are exactly the same - everyone has their own unique situation and personal needs. We want to make sure we take your personal situation and unique needs into consideration as we help you along your journey with cancer. This enables us to not only treat cancers, but to treat patients. Focusing on more than just the disease, we strive to treat the mind, body, and spirit. Give us a call at 800-615-3055 or chat with an Oncology Information Specialist and learn more about all the conventional and complementary cancer treatments available to you.
