Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy)

Internal radiation therapy is also known as brachytherapy, which means short-distance therapy. The advantage of brachytherapy is its ability to deliver a high dose of radiation to a small area. This type of treatment is useful in situations that require a high local dose of radiation or a dose that would be more than the normal tissues could tolerate if given by external beam. The two main types of internal radiation are: interstitial (placed directly into the tumor) or intracavity (near the tumor). Implants may be permanent (low does rate) or temporary (high dose rate, commonly called HDR).