What is brachytherapy?

Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy where a radioactive source is placed directly inside or very close to the area requiring treatment. This method allows for a higher dose of radiation to be delivered to a localized area while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. It is commonly used in the treatment of various cancers, including prostate, breast, and cervical cancers.

By implanting the radioactive material, brachytherapy can provide a more targeted treatment approach, which often results in fewer side effects and a shorter treatment time compared to other forms of radiation, such as external beam radiation therapy. This localized approach is particularly beneficial in palliative care settings, where the goal is to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life for patients with advanced disease.

In contrast, chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells and is not related to the physical placement of radiation near or within the tumor. External radiation therapy refers to the administration of radiation from outside the body, rather than from an internal source as seen in brachytherapy. Immunotherapy represents a different treatment strategy that utilizes the body's immune system to combat cancer, which is fundamentally distinct from the radiation techniques described.