BRACHYTHERAPY

Alanna and Alysia

What is Brachytherapy

Uses ionizing radiation

Places radioactive material in
the body
Delivers higher doses of
radiation to specific areas
Kills cancer cells
Shrinks tumors

http://www.sgh.com.sg/clinical-departmentscenters/urology/medical-technology-surgicalprocedures/pages/brachytherapy.aspx

How it works
Intracavitary brachytherapy

Placed in body opening

Esophagus, vagina

Placed by hand or use

computerized machine
to help

CT or ultrasound used to
be sure placed right

Interstitial brachytherapy

Placed in tissue

http://cancer.ucsd.edu/carecenters/radiationoncology/procedures/PublishingI
mages/LDR_Brachytherapy.jpg

Breast, prostate

Uses wires, balloons,

and seeds
Applicators loaded
with seeds inserted
and seeds released
CT or ultrasound to
insure they are
placed right

High-dose vs. Low-dose

Low-dose
High-dose

Inpatient procedure

Outpatient

Placed in body while under

procedure
anesthesia or sedation

Material placed in

Removed or permanently
body for a few
stays in body
minutes
Prostate

One or two times a

day for a few days
or weeks
http://scielo.isciii.es/img/revistas/
medicorpa/v11n3/01i.ht11.jpg

http://radonc.ucla.edu/images/CET/Fig4.GynCTDosimetry.jpg

What is it used for

Several types of
cancer
Used alone or in
conjunction with
other treatments

After surgery to kill

any remaining
cancer cells

Along with external

beam radiation
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commo
ns/4/4c/Clinical_applications_of_brachytherapy
.jpg

Who is eligible?
Prostate

PSA less than 20

Gleason score 7 or
under
Cancer confined to
prostate

Breast Cancer

http://www.nature.com/nrclinonc/journal/v10/n
6/images/nrclinonc.2013.65-f1.jpg

No more than 3
nodes
3 cm or less
Clear surgical
margins at least 1
mm
Has not spread
Not pregnant
No more than 6
weeks after
lumpectomy

Brachytherapy vs. External

Beam

Spares healthy
tissues
Fewer side effects
Shorter treatment
time
Minimally invasive
Quicker recovery
Reduce recurrence
and possible
mastectomy
(breast)

Cause harsh side

effects
Many treatments
over many weeks
Not invasive

http://today.uconn.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2011/02/brachyth
erapy_lg.jpg

Savi

https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIgFToq3gw8#
t=64

Our Experience

We got to shadow the Savi Breast

Brachytherapy Applicator this summer.

http://www.bhcancercenter.com/cancer-care/radiationoncology/high-dose-internal-radiationtherapy/images/brachytherapy.jpg

References
Brachytherapy. (2014, 25 08). Retrieved 02 17, 2015, from
RadiologyInfo.org: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?
pg=brachy
Brachytherapy Frequently Asked Questions. (n.d.). Retrieved 02 17, 2015,
from American Brachytherapy:
http://www.americanbrachytherapy.org/aboutbrachytherapy/Brach
yFAQ.cfm
Prostate Cancer. (2015). Retrieved 02 17, 2015, from MD Anderson Cancer
Center: http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancerinformation/care-centers-and-clinics/specialty-and-treatmentcenters/radiation-treatment/prostate-brachytherapy/index.html
Staff, M. C. (2015). Brachytherapy. Retrieved 02 17, 2015, from Mayo
Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/testsprocedures/brachytherapy/basics/definition/prc-20021316
Who is Eligible for Breast Brachytherapy. (n.d.). Retrieved 02 17, 2015,
from Arizona Breast Cancer Specialists: http://www.arizona-breastcancer-specialists.com/brachytherapy/patient-eligibility.html