brachyterápia

Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy used to treat cancer. It involves placing radioactive sources directly inside or very close to the tumor. This allows for a high dose of radiation to be delivered precisely to the cancerous cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

There are different types of brachytherapy, primarily categorized by the duration the radioactive source remains in place. Temporary brachytherapy involves placing the sources for a specific period, ranging from minutes to several days, after which they are removed. Permanent brachytherapy, also known as seed implantation, involves placing small radioactive seeds that gradually lose their radioactivity over time and remain permanently in the body.

The radioactive sources used in brachytherapy can be in various forms, such as seeds, needles, wires, or capsules. The choice of source and delivery method depends on the type and location of the cancer. Common cancers treated with brachytherapy include prostate, breast, cervical, and skin cancers.

Brachytherapy can be used alone as the primary treatment or in combination with other treatments like external beam radiation therapy or surgery. It is often an outpatient procedure, meaning patients can typically go home the same day. The procedure itself is usually painless, though some local anesthetic may be used. Side effects are generally localized to the treatment area and depend on the type of cancer and the amount of radiation used.