Cancer And Other Conditions Can Be Treated With Brachytherapy

 

Brachytherapy 

Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy used to treat cancer by placing a small radiation source inside or next to the tumor. This technique is commonly used in the treatment of prostate, cervical, breast, and skin cancer, among others. Brachytherapy has several advantages over other radiation therapy techniques, such as external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), including higher radiation doses to the tumor, lower radiation doses to surrounding tissues, and shorter treatment times.

Medical devices play a crucial role in brachytherapy, as they are used to deliver the radiation source to the tumor site. There are two main types of brachytherapy devices: temporary and permanent. Temporary devices are used to deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumor over a short period, usually a few minutes to a few days. Permanent devices, on the other hand, are used to deliver a lower dose of radiation over a longer period, usually several weeks to several months.

Temporary brachytherapy devices include catheters, needles, and applicators, which are used to deliver the radiation source to the tumor site. These devices are inserted into the body, either through a natural orifice or through a small incision, and placed near or inside the tumor. The radiation source is then delivered through the device for a predetermined period, after which it is removed.

Permanent brachytherapy devices include radioactive seeds or pellets, which are implanted directly into the tumor. These seeds are usually made of metal or plastic and contain a radioactive material, such as iodine, palladium, or cesium. The seeds are implanted using a needle or other device and remain in the body permanently, delivering a low dose of radiation over a period of several weeks or months.

Gynaecological Cancer is characterised by the unchecked development and spread of abnormal cells in the female reproductive organs, including the cervix, uterus, ovaries, vagina, and vulva. Infection with the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) virus is another cause of Gynaecological Cancer in addition to other causes. In addition, conditions including infertility, obesity, mutations, early menstrual cycle onset or late menopause onset may potentially contribute to the development of Gynaecological Cancer.

Brachytherapy devices are designed to deliver the radiation source precisely to the tumor site, while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding tissues. This is achieved through the use of sophisticated imaging techniques, such as CT and MRI, which allow the radiation oncologist to visualize the tumor and surrounding tissues in three dimensions. Computer software is then used to create a treatment plan, which specifies the exact location and dose of radiation to be delivered.