What brachytherapy is and the role of the professionals who deliver it.
Brachytherapy is a form of internal radiotherapy in which a sealed radioactive source is placed inside or right next to a tumour. Because the radiation acts over a very short distance, it treats the target while sparing nearby healthy tissue.
Instead of aiming a beam from outside the body, brachytherapy places the radiation source at the tumour itself —permanently (as tiny seeds) or temporarily. It is widely used for cancers of the prostate, cervix, breast and skin, among others.
Delivering brachytherapy is a team effort of radiation oncologists, medical physicists and radiation therapists. Precise planning, imaging and safety controls ensure the dose lands exactly where intended.
By concentrating the dose and sparing healthy tissue, brachytherapy can shorten treatment and reduce side effects. It remains a vital, sometimes underappreciated, tool in modern cancer care.
Educational content. It does not replace advice from qualified healthcare professionals.
Occasional, clear ideas and resources from the field. No spam.