What is a brachytherapy catheter?
In balloon catheter or applicator brachytherapy, a special tube with a balloon or a different kind of device on the end is used. With careful planning, the balloon or applicator is placed into the area where the cancer was. The tube comes out through a little hole in the skin.
What is brachytherapy HDR?
HDR brachytherapy is a form of internal radiotherapy where an oncologist: Temporarily implants a catheter — a small plastic tube or balloon — in the tumor area. Places highly radioactive material inside the body for a short time and then retracts it using a remote control.
What does HDR mean in radiation?
An amount of radiation that is greater than that given in typical radiation therapy. HDR is precisely directed at the tumor to avoid damaging healthy tissue, and may kill more cancer cells in fewer treatments. Also called high-dose radiation.
What is LDR and HDR?
Because the radiation source is very close to the tumor, therapeutic radiation can affect the tumor directly while minimally affecting normal tissue. Brachytherapy can be provided using low dose rate (LDR) or high dose rate (HDR) techniques, depending on the length of time the radioactive sources remain in place.
What is the difference between HDR and LDR brachytherapy?
LDR brachytherapy involves permanently or temporarily placing radioactive seeds in the prostate to deliver radiation over an extended period of time, while HDR involves inserting flexible needles into the prostate to deliver a high dose of radiation over a period of a few minutes.
Do you need a catheter after brachytherapy?
You may need to use a urinary catheter for 1 or 2 days if you have a lot of blood in your urine. Your health care provider will show you how to use it. You may also feel the urge to urinate more often. Your perineum may be tender and bruised.
When is brachytherapy appropriate?
Brachytherapy is most commonly used to treat prostate cancer. It also can be used for gynecologic cancers such as cervical cancer and uterine (endometrial) cancer, as well as breast cancer, lung cancer, rectal cancer, eye cancer, and skin cancer.
What is brachytherapy NHS?
Brachytherapy is the delivery of radiation therapy using sealed sources which are placed as close to the site that is to be treated.
How long is HDR brachytherapy?
High-dose-rate brachytherapy is often an outpatient procedure, which means each treatment session is brief and doesn’t require that you be admitted to the hospital. During high-dose-rate brachytherapy, radioactive material is placed in your body for a short period — from a few minutes up to 20 minutes.