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Brachytherapy -- high-precision radiotherapy
As the name suggests, internal radiotherapy, or brachytherapy, is a high-precision radiation therapy, in which the radiation source used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors is placed in or close to the tumor itself. This precision brachytherapy approach allows a physician to concentrate a high dose of radiation in a smaller area, with less damage to nearby, healthy body tissues and organs, over a shorter treatment period.

Brachytherapy -- a standard of care, backed up by technological advances
The original idea of internal radiotherapy was actually first developed in the early part of the twentieth century. For example, brachytherapy has long been regarded as a standard of care in the treatment of cervical cancer, and experts agree that brachytherapy has a particular role in the treatment of smaller, earlier stage tumors. Recent technological advances in brachytherapy have resulted in treatments tailored to the individual needs of each patient:
• Modern imaging techniques such as CT scans and MR scans, allowing medical practitioners to pinpoint the location, shape and size of a tumor
• Specific technology and software - allowing doctors to precisely calculate the optimal dose and its distribution to treat the tumour, while avoiding healthy tissue.
• Specialized medical devices allow high doses of radiotherapy to be delivered to the target site, safely and efficiently

Brachytherapy -- providing benefits and choices in cancer management
With earlier diagnosis and improved treatment options, the outlook for the future for patients is moving towards living not only a longer but also a higher quality life following diagnosis and treatment. Clinical studies have shown that brachytherapy produces disease outcomes (survival rates, etc) similar to those seen with other treatment approaches. However, it also offers the benefit of shorter treatment times -- days as opposed to several weeks with external radiotherapy for example-- and often on an out-patient basis.




Furthermore, since the radiation is delivered in a concentrated and targeted manner, there is less risk of damage to surrounding tissues.Earlier detection through screening programs of smaller, earlier stage tumors, coupled with the technological advances in brachytherapy, leading to sparing of healthy tissues around the tumor and shorter treatment times, reinforce its clinical value. This has led to its use in the treatment of different tumor types, and the development of new treatment techniques.

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