Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy

Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)

What Is Internal Radiation Therapy?

Have you ever wondered how doctors can treat cancer from inside the body? That’s exactly what internal radiation therapy, or brachytherapy, does!

Instead of sending radiation from a big machine outside your body (like in regular radiation therapy), brachytherapy places a tiny radioactive source directly inside or near the tumor.
 This helps deliver a strong dose of radiation right where it’s needed—to the cancer—while keeping nearby healthy organs safe.

At Narayana Hospital, Gurgaon, Dr. Bharat Dua, Senior Consultant in Radiation Oncology, is an expert in this modern, precise treatment. His focus? Giving every patient care that’s personal, effective, and based on the latest medical technology.

💡 How Does It Work?

Think of brachytherapy as a way to “target” cancer cells from very close range. Small radioactive materials (called isotopes) are placed in capsules, wires, or seeds and positioned exactly where the tumor is.

These materials give off radiation that damages the DNA of cancer cells, stopping them from growing or spreading.

Because the radiation stays focused on the tumor, it’s especially helpful for cancers in areas like the prostate, cervix, uterus, breast, head and neck, and skin.

👉 Question for you: Can you imagine how much gentler it is when only the tumor gets radiation, not your whole body?

⚙️ Types of Brachytherapy

There are two main types of brachytherapy, depending on how long the radioactive source stays in your body.

1. Temporary Brachytherapy

In this method, the radioactive material is placed for a short time—from a few minutes to a few days—and then removed once the treatment is done.

• High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy:
   A strong dose of radiation is given in short sessions, often for cancers like those of the cervix, uterus, breast, or prostate.
   
• Low-Dose Rate (LDR) Brachytherapy:
   A gentler dose is given over a longer time, sometimes while you stay in the hospital for a few days.
   

2. Permanent Brachytherapy (Seed Implantation)

Here, tiny radioactive seeds are placed directly into or near the tumor and stay there permanently. Don’t worry—over time, the radiation naturally fades and becomes harmless.
 This approach works very well for prostate cancer, offering long-term control with minimal side effects.

🩺 How Are the Implants Placed?

The way implants are placed depends on the type and location of the cancer.

The procedure is done under local or general anesthesia, and doctors use ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI to guide them with great precision.

Here are the common methods:

• Intracavitary Brachytherapy: The radioactive source is placed in a body cavity (like the uterus or vagina).
   
• Interstitial Brachytherapy: The source is inserted directly into tissues (like the prostate or breast).
   
• Surface Brachytherapy: The source is placed on the surface (like the skin or eye).
   

Doctors carefully monitor the radiation dose to ensure the cancer gets enough treatment while protecting healthy tissue.

🧘 What to Expect During Treatment

Good news — brachytherapy is usually minimally invasive and painless!
 You might go home the same day or stay in the hospital briefly, depending on your treatment type.

• With temporary brachytherapy, the radioactive source is removed after the session—so no radiation stays in your body.
   
• With permanent brachytherapy, small radioactive seeds stay inside, but the radiation slowly fades and becomes harmless.
   

💬 Tip: After treatment, your doctor may ask you to take small precautions for a short time—like avoiding close contact with pregnant women or young children—until radiation levels go down.

🌈 Why Choose Internal Radiation Therapy?

Here’s why many patients prefer brachytherapy:
 ✅ Precision: Directly targets the tumor and protects healthy tissue.
 ✅ Shorter Treatment: Often completed in just a few sessions.
 ✅ Fewer Side Effects: Less fatigue and skin irritation.
 ✅ Quick Recovery: Many people return to normal life quickly.
 ✅ Highly Effective: Especially for small, localized cancers.

🎯 Cancers Commonly Treated with Brachytherapy

Dr. Bharat Dua has vast experience using brachytherapy for several types of cancer, such as:

• Cervical and Uterine Cancer
   
• Prostate Cancer
   
• Breast Cancer (Partial Breast Irradiation)
   
• Head and Neck Cancers
   
• Skin and Soft Tissue Cancers
   
• Anal and Rectal Cancers
   

Often, brachytherapy is combined with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or chemotherapy for the best possible results.

 After Treatment and Recovery

After your treatment, you might feel a bit tired or notice mild swelling or discomfort—but these usually fade within a few days.

Dr. Bharat will guide you every step of the way, offering follow-up care, counseling, and lifestyle advice to help you recover fully.