SHORT VERSION
Before brachytherapy initiation, the dose, radioactive source (radioactive substance), and number of sessions will be determined by the radiation oncologist. Depending on the radioactive source to be implanted, medical imaging may be required, such as computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasonography, to determine the treatment plan and/or to guide the source implantation. The first step is to place the support. This device, also called the vector, contains the radioactive sources. General or locoregional anesthesia may be necessary, like for any other surgical procedure, to implant the material safely and without pain. Then, the treatment course (treatment duration and number of sessions) will depend on the used technique and on the dose rate (high-dose rate, low-dose rate, low pulsed-dose rate). For example, in pulsed-dose rate brachytherapy, the source is implanted in contact with the tumor area for 2 to 5 days during which radiation-emitting pulses alternate with rest phases. This requires hospitalization in an isolated room with lead walls. In high-dose rate brachytherapy, a support with high dose radioactivity is placed in the body for a very short time (few minutes), and does not require hospitalization. These sessions may be repeated once or twice per week.
Before brachytherapy initiation, the dose, radioactive source (radioactive substance), and number of sessions will be determined by the radiation oncologist. Depending on the radioactive source to be implanted, medical imaging may be required, such as computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasonography, to determine the treatment plan and/or to guide the source implantation.
The first step is to place the support. This device, also called the vector, contains the radioactive sources. General or locoregional anesthesia may be necessary, like for any other surgical procedure, to implant the material safely and without pain.
Then, the treatment course (treatment duration and number of sessions) will depend on the used technique and on the dose rate (high-dose rate, low-dose rate, low pulsed-dose rate). For example, in pulsed-dose rate brachytherapy, the source is implanted in contact with the tumor area for 2 to 5 days during which radiation-emitting pulses alternate with rest phases. This requires hospitalization in an isolated room with lead walls. In high-dose rate brachytherapy, a support with high dose radioactivity is placed in the body for a very short time (few minutes), and does not require hospitalization. These sessions may be repeated once or twice per week.
