What is HDR Brachytherapy?
HDR Brachytherapy, or High Dose Rate brachytherapy, is a highly precise cancer treatment that delivers powerful radiation directly to the tumor with the highest accuracy. Here’s how it works:
How Does It Work?
- Doctors insert thin, flexible tubes called catheters into or near the tumor site.
- A tiny, pin-sized radioactive source is used to deliver potent radiation.
- A computerized machine precisely controls the movement of the source through the catheters.
- The source stays in place briefly to deliver a calculated dose of radiation to cancer cells.
- After treatment, the source is removed, leaving no radiation in the body.
- This process can be a single session or multiple sessions over a few days, depending on the treatment plan.
The key advantage of HDR brachytherapy is its ability to deliver high doses of radiation to a specific area, minimizing exposure to healthy tissues and enhancing treatment effectiveness.
