Updated February 08, 2015.
Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy in which radiation is delivered locally to a tumor (as opposed to external radiation). Since brachytherapy delivers radiation directly to a tumor, it is less likely than external radiation to damage healthy tissue.
With lung cancer, brachytherapy may be used if a tumor is present in the large airways. A tube is placed in to the bronchus during a bronchoscopy, and left in place for around 30 minutes to deliver the radiation.
Brachytherapy is most often used as a palliative therapy, a therapy done to relieve symptoms such as bleeding or to open airways, but not to cure lung cancer.
Examples: Bill's doctors recommended brachytherapy to open his airway that was obstructed by a tumor.
Source:
National Cancer Institute. What to Know About Brachytherapy (A Type of Iternal Radiation Therapy. Accessed 01/08/15. http://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/brachytherapy.pdf
Definition: Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy in which radiation is delivered locally to a tumor (as opposed to external radiation). Since brachytherapy delivers radiation directly to a tumor, it is less likely than external radiation to damage healthy tissue.
With lung cancer, brachytherapy may be used if a tumor is present in the large airways. A tube is placed in to the bronchus during a bronchoscopy, and left in place for around 30 minutes to deliver the radiation.
Brachytherapy is most often used as a palliative therapy, a therapy done to relieve symptoms such as bleeding or to open airways, but not to cure lung cancer.
Examples: Bill's doctors recommended brachytherapy to open his airway that was obstructed by a tumor.
Source:
National Cancer Institute. What to Know About Brachytherapy (A Type of Iternal Radiation Therapy. Accessed 01/08/15. http://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/brachytherapy.pdf
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