Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is radiation treatment in which sealed radioactive sources are placed inside or near a tumor. It delivers a concentrated dose while limiting exposure to surrounding tissue.

High-dose-rate brachytherapy: A brachytherapy technique that delivers radiation at a high dose rate, usually through a temporarily placed source. A remote afterloader moves the source into applicators for brief, planned exposures.
Prostate brachytherapy: Brachytherapy used to treat prostate cancer by placing radioactive sources in or near the prostate. Permanent seeds or temporary sources can concentrate radiation in the prostate.
External beam radiotherapy: Radiation treatment that directs beams from a machine outside the body toward a tumor. Unlike brachytherapy, it delivers radiation from outside rather than placing sources near the tumor.
Ionizing radiation: Radiation energetic enough to remove electrons from atoms or molecules. Brachytherapy sources use ionizing radiation to damage tumor-cell DNA.
Radiation-induced DNA damage: Molecular injury to DNA caused by ionizing radiation, including strand breaks and chemical modifications. DNA damage is a principal mechanism by which brachytherapy suppresses tumor growth.
Low-dose-rate brachytherapy: A brachytherapy technique that delivers radiation continuously or over an extended period at a low dose rate. Implanted seeds or other sources emit radiation over hours, days, or longer.
Cervical cancer: A cancer that begins in the cells of the cervix. Brachytherapy is a standard component of radiation treatment for many cervical cancers.
Systemic radionuclide therapy: Cancer treatment that administers radioactive substances into the body for distribution to target tissues. Its radioactive agents circulate or accumulate biologically rather than remaining in sealed local sources.
Radioactive decay: The spontaneous transformation of unstable atomic nuclei, often accompanied by emitted radiation. Decay determines how a brachytherapy source emits radiation and loses activity over time.
Radiation necrosis: Tissue death caused by radiation injury, sometimes occurring months or years after treatment. Nearby tissues can be harmed if brachytherapy dose exceeds their tolerance.

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