Brachytherapy

Also known as internal radiation therapy, brachytherapy can be used in the treatment of mesothelioma as well as a number of other forms of cancer.  This type of therapy involves placing a radioactive material directly inside the body.  This is as opposed to the more common type of radiation therapy, which involves the use of high-energy x-ray beams, generated by a machine, and aimed directly at the tumor or at a particular part of the body. 

This internal radiation therapy has a number of advantages, including the ability for doctors to treat a small area with a higher dose of radiation in a shorter amount of time.   Brachytherapy may be either temporary or permanent.

• Temporary – With this type of brachytherapy, the radioactive material is placed near the tumor for a pre-determined length of time and then removed.  It may be administered in high-dose or low-dose, according to the goals of the oncologist.
• Permanent – Sometimes known as “seed implantation”, permanent brachytherapy involves the placing of tiny radioactive pellets or seeds in or near a tumor and leaving them there permanently.  After several weeks, the radioactivity diminishes to nothing and the now harmless seeds remain in the body.  The pellets are usually about the size of a grain of rice.

This type of treatment is administered through a needle, applicator, or catheter.  Doctors can then insert the radioactive material manually or with the help of a computer-controlled device.  Often, the use of x-rays, ultrasounds, or CT scans will come into play in determining exactly the right location for placement of the radiation.   

This procedure is fairly simple and patients may be able to leave the hospital on the same day or after a brief overnight stay, depending on the type of treatment received.  You may require a general anesthetic to reduce discomfort.  Patients may ultimately experience tenderness or swelling of the area where the catheter or applicator was inserted and, because of the presence of radiation, exposure to others, especially pregnant women, may be limited.