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Brachytherapy

While radiation therapy is a treatment that is commonly recommended for a number of different types of cancer, not all radiation therapy is the same. For example, it can be delivered in a number of different ways and is a treatment that has come far since it was first used to treat cancer decades ago. For individuals with pleural mesothelioma, the brachytherapy type of radiation is often suggested because it can deliver more targeted radiation to the affected area, resulting in better results and fewer side effects.

What is Brachytherapy?

The “brachy” portion of the word brachytherapy comes from the Greek for “short distance.” This is an accurate description of this form of radiation, which only needs to travel a short way to reach the affected area.

Brachytherapy involves the implantation of radioactive seeds into the cancerous area. In the case of pleural mesothelioma patients, the seeds are implanted in the pleural space. This is as opposed to receiving traditional radiation, which is external and aims high-energy x-ray beams at the tumor, often causing burns and other unpleasant side effects.
The obvious advantage of this treatment is that the doctor can treat a small area with a higher dose of radiation, hence producing a more effective result and limiting side effects.

This internal type of radiation can be classified as either temporary or permanent. Temporary brachytherapy involves the implantation of the seeds or rods for a pre-determined amount of time, after which they are removed. For permanent brachytherapy, tiny seeds are used and are allowed to remain in the body. After several weeks or, in some cases, several months, the radiation is gone but the harmless seeds remain in the body.

What to Expect

Brachytherapy is generally performed as an outpatient procedure and usually only takes about an hour to complete. Patients will undergo a series of X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasound before the implantation occurs so that the radiologist knows exactly where to place the seeds or rods.

The seeds are planting by means of a very thin needle or a catheter, usually with the help of some sort of computer-controlled devise. A local anesthetic may be used or, in rare cases, general anesthesia is employed. In the case of temporary brachytherapy, patients may receive as many as a dozen of these treatments, delivered at pre-determined intervals over several weeks.

Most people leave the treatment location within an hour or two of receiving the therapy and most patients report that they experience minimal side effects, which might include swelling or bruising at the injection area. Few other side effects are reported. However, patients treated with brachytherapy may emit low doses of radiation so their exposure to pregnant women and small children should be limited until their doctor deems contact to be safe.  

Sources:

1. http://www.americanbrachytherapy.org/aboutBrachytherapy/BrachyFAQFinal2.pdf
2. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=brachy
3. http://www.americanbrachytherapy.org/aboutBrachytherapy/brachy.cfm