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High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HDR)
High-Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy is an innovative form of internal radiotherapy (radiation treatments). Most of our procedures, at least at first, will be intracavitary (placed into body cavities) or interstitial (placed directly into tissues). It involves the use of radioactive materials (isotopes) placed directly in contact with cancer tissues, which are then removed when a lethal dose has been delivered to the cancer. The comprehensive, aggressive approach to treatment frequently uses internal radiotherapy for cancers of the breast, cervix, lung, prostate, rectum, tongue and uterus.
Brachytherapy is a quicker, more effective way to give radiation treatments. Brachytherapy places the radiation inside your tumor, tightly focused within the site of the cancer. This technique ensures the maximum radiation dose is given where you need it most, while allowing little radiation to reach the healthy surrounding tissue. In many cases, brachytherapy is an effective alternative to surgical removal of a tumor and the affected organ.
After your initial consultation, your radiation oncology team will determine whether you are an ideal candidate to be offered this form of therapy.
Information attributed to the web site of the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov) and Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
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