Oesophagus An endoscope is used to place a suitable catheter through the oesophageal tumour. A high dose iridium source or, less frequently, caesium pellets in the medium dose rate Selectron…

Bronchial cancers The possible major indication for intraluminal brachytherapy in carcinoma of bronchus is obstruction of a major airway. A fine catheter can be introduced through the tumour using a…

Gynaecological cancer Related posts: descriptors of the radionuclide imaging process Radiation treatment planning: immobilization, localization and verification techniques Principles and practice of radiation treatment planning trends Dentition

[1]. The proposed threshold BED for rectal complications is 90   Gy3 (i.e. calculated with an α/β of 3   Gy), and for 50% morbidity rate is 190   Gy3. The dose tolerance of the bladder…

Dosimetry Radioactive material is implanted into tissues according to distribution rules which vary according to the system used. In Europe, the classical Parker-Paterson and Quimby systems have largely been superseded…

Radionuclides in brachytherapy Related posts: descriptors of the radionuclide imaging process Radiation treatment planning: immobilization, localization and verification techniques Principles and practice of radiation treatment planning trends Dentition

Disadvantages of brachytherapy Many of the sources used in brachytherapy emit gamma rays and nursing and medical staff may be exposed inadvertently to low doses of radiation from the patient….

Indications for brachytherapy The extent of the neoplasm must be known precisely as treatment is often given to a relatively small volume and ‘geographic miss’ is otherwise likely. The site…

Advantages of brachytherapy The probability of local tumour control increases with increasing radiation dose, however, so does the probability of normal tissue damage. Brachytherapy allows the delivery of a highly…

Introduction Indications for brachytherapy Advantages of brachytherapy Disadvantages of brachytherapy Radionuclides in brachytherapy     Gamma emitters         Radioactivity         Half-life         Material properties         Half-life and specification of source strength      Absorbed dose       Gamma emitters …