Spring–Summer 2025 7 How Brachytherapy works The procedure is typically performed using tiny radioactive pellets, or seeds, that are either placed on the tumor through applicators or inserted into the tumor through needles or catheters. Historically, Brachytherapy used to involve a more permanent or long-duration implant, called low-dose-rate (LDR) Brachytherapy, with long treatment times and patients being radioactive for a period of time after treatment. This is something that has fallen out of mainstream practice since a newer form of Brachytherapy, termed high-dose-rate (HDR) Brachytherapy, came into practice. With HDR Brachytherapy, treatment is markedly shorter on the order of minutes. Furthermore, patients are not radioactive after HDR Brachytherapy treatment and can resume normal activities between treatments. Increased safety, fewer side effects One of the key advantages of Brachytherapy is its physical properties. The radionuclides used for HDR Brachytherapy emit high doses of radiation quickly, cutting down treatment time from days and months to minutes. In addition, the radiation is not very penetrating because the radioactive source’s dose rapidly decays with distance. This means that the dose of radiation being seen by normal tissues a few centimeters from the tumor is predominantly limited to the immediate vicinity of the tumor or target and is too low to expect any significant side effects or complications. Because the radiation dose is naturally more confined with Brachytherapy, this treatment can mean less radiation exposure to more distant healthy tissues, which decreases the risks of side effects, complication rates and recovery times. When asked about her practice, Dr. Rashed emphasizes that “delivering the best possible care and helping patients achieve the best possible cancer treatment outcomes is my priority. There are times when either external beam or Brachytherapy treatment approaches are equally effective. In these scenarios, the goal is always to then choose the treatment that can minimize treatment morbidity for a patient, including the possible side effect profile as well as the logistical considerations, such as the number of treatments needed. This is where HDR Brachytherapy can often be the preferred treatment. “That I now may be able to provide patients with more treatment options is something I am very excited about. I hope that we can become an even greater hub for oncologic care with the advent of Brachytherapy to our program.” While Brachytherapy is a powerful and effective treatment, it may not be suitable for all patients or cancer types. As with any cancer treatment, the decision to use Brachytherapy is made with your doctor and is based on a thorough evaluation of your condition and the cancer’s stage. Here for every step of your cancer treatment journey The Riverside Cancer Institute provides all the care you need, close to home. To learn more, call (815) 214-9076 or visit myrhc.net/cancer. Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy used to treat various types of cancer, including uterine, cervical, vaginal and skin cancers.
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