brachytherapy
Pronunciation: BRAKE-ee-therapy
Radiation therapy technique involving placement of radioactive sources directly into or adjacent to tumor tissue for localized high-dose treatment.
Full Definition
Brachytherapy is a specialized form of radiation therapy that delivers high doses of radiation by placing radioactive sources in direct contact with or inside the target tissue. This technique allows for steep dose gradients, providing high doses to the tumor while rapidly decreasing doses to surrounding normal tissues. Common applications include prostate, gynecologic, breast, and skin cancers. Brachytherapy can be delivered as low-dose-rate (LDR) permanent implants or high-dose-rate (HDR) temporary applications. Medical editors must understand the distinct terminology, dose fractionation schemes, and toxicity profiles associated with brachytherapy compared to external beam radiation therapy.
Usage
Usage note: Specify whether LDR or HDR, and temporary vs permanent implants. Distinct dosimetry and fractionation from external beam therapy.
In Context
- "HDR brachytherapy provided excellent local control for the cervical cancer with minimal toxicity." — Treatment outcome report
- "Permanent seed brachytherapy was selected for the low-risk prostate cancer patient." — Treatment selection rationale