Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive sources inside or near a tumor to deliver radiation treatment. It allows for a high dose of radiation to be delivered directly to the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. Brachytherapy can be given as the primary treatment or along with external beam radiation, and is commonly used to treat cancers of the breast, cervix, endometrium, prostate, and head and neck. There are two main types - temporary brachytherapy which places a radioactive source inside a catheter for a set period of time, and permanent brachytherapy which implants tiny radioactive seeds directly into the tumor site. The procedure is planned with a radiation oncologist and the patient is prepared and counse

1. Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is the delivery of radiation through the placement of a radioactive source in or on the body
which allows the delivery of a prescribed dose of radiation within a small area while sparing surrounding
normal tissue from radiation exposure. Brachytherapy may be given as a primary treatment or in conjunction
with external beam radiation. It is often used in the treatment of cancers of the breast, cervix, endometrium,
prostate, and head and neck area.
The most common forms of brachytherapy include
interstitial implants and intracavitary implants. In an
interstitial implant, the radioactive source is contained
within a needle, seed, wire or catheter that is placed directly
into the tumor or tumor bed. The implant may be temporary
or permanent (e.g. prostate seed). Our radiation oncologists
are able to provide several forms of brachytherapy.
In temporary brachytherapy, a highly radioactive material
is placed inside a catheter or slender tube for a specific
amount of time and then withdrawn. This gives us the ability to control the dose within a specific region.
Temporary brachytherapy can be administered at a Low-Dose Rate (LDR) or High-Dose Rate (HDR).
Permanent brachytherapy, also called seed implantation, involves placing radioactive seeds (about the size
of a grain of rice) in or near the tumor and leaving them there permanently.
Over time, the radiation in the implants fades, leaving small titanium casings that remain in the body, with
no lasting effect on the patient.
The HDR tandem and ovoid (T&O) implant procedure is used to
treat patients with uterine or cervical cancer. These patients are
usually treated with a course of external beam radiation therapy
and a series of one to two implants. These implants are usually
done at the end of the external beam treatment.
During the initial consultation with one of our radiation oncologists, he or she will discuss the treatment
plan with the patient. If an implant is part of the treatment plan, the procedure will be discussed with the
patient in more detail. The radiation oncology nurse will meet with the patient and provide verbal and
written instructions regarding how to prepare for the procedure, precautions to take, where to report for the
implantation, and self-care at home.
At InterCommunity Cancer Institute, we are committed to patient care and comfort. For more information
about brachytherapy and other treatment technologies, or to refer your patient to ICCI, call 352.243.9709.
ICCI Clermont ICCC Lady Lake ICCC Leesburg
1920 Don Wickham Dr., Suite 130 922 Rolling Acres Rd. 301 S. Lake St.
Clermont, FL 34711 Lady Lake, FL 32159 Leesburg, FL 34748
Phone: 352.243.9709 | www.careyoudeserve.com