- It is sometimes known as ‘internal radiotherapy’, or when used in the treatment of prostate cancer, ‘seed therapy’. - Radiotherapy is an important method of treating cancer. It works by destroying cancer cells by targeting them with radiation and stopping them dividing and growing. - About 4 out of 10 people with cancer have some type of radiotherapy as part of their treatment.
- It is sometimes known as ‘internal radiotherapy’, or when used in the treatment of prostate cancer, ‘seed therapy’.
- Radiotherapy is an important method of treating cancer. It works by destroying cancer cells by targeting them with radiation and stopping them dividing and growing.
- About 4 out of 10 people with cancer have some type of radiotherapy as part of their treatment.
Brachytherapy works by precisely targeting the cancerous tumor from inside the body. The source of radiation is placed directly inside or next to the tumor. This tailored approach reduces the risk of any unnecessary damage to healthy tissue and organs that are close to the tumor, therefore reducing the chance of side effects.
In contrast, EBRT delivers radiation from outside the body. The radiation has to travel through healthy tissue to reach the tumor. As the technique is less targeted and precise than brachytherapy, more healthy tissues and organs can be exposed to harmful levels of radiation.
Brachytherapy is commonly used as a treatment for cervical, prostate, breast and skin cancer and can also be used to treat tumors in many other sites of the body. Brachytherapy can be used to treat cancer on its own or in combination with other treatment methods, such as surgery, external beam radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The exact treatment(s) will depend on a number of factors, such as the location, shape and size of the tumor, and individual patient preferences.