Medical treatment has reached new heights in cancer treatment; cutting-edge therapies have enhanced precision while lowering the side effects. One such revolutionary treatment is brachytherapy, a form of radiation therapy. Unlike traditional external beam radiation, brachytherapy offers radiation directly to the tumor site, limiting the exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. But how does brachytherapy support cancer patients? Let’s delve deeper into this blog to explore the advantages, types, and effectiveness of this innovative cancer treatment.
What is brachytherapy?
Brachytherapy is one of the radiation methods in which radioactive sources are placed near or inside the tumor. The radiation will emit the required amounts of doses to eliminate cancer cells while safeguarding the healthy nearby tissues.
How it works:
- A tiny radioactive implant is inserted inside the tumor or body cavity.
- Slowly, the radiation will eliminate cancer cells by lowering the damage to adjacent organs.
- Those implants may be temporary or permanent, based on the cancer type being treated.
What are the types of brachytherapy?
Brachytherapy is classified into different types according to the dosage and placement.
High dose rate brachytherapy:
- Doctors will use powerful radiation sources for a limited period. These sessions will be typically administered in several sessions over days and weeks. This method is commonly employed in treating prostate, cervical, and breast cancer.
Low dose rate brachytherapy:
- Employs lower-intensity radiation over an extended period. The radioactive source may remain in place permanently or be eliminated post-treatment. This method is commonly used in gynecologic and prostate cancers.
Permanent seed implant brachytherapy:
- Radioactive seeds are implanted permanently within the tumor. Slowly, these seeds will lose their radiation strength. This method is commonly employed in treating prostate cancer.
Intracavitary vs. Interstitial brachytherapy:
- Intracavitary: The radiation source is placed inside a body cavity, like the uterus or cervix.
- Interstitial: The radiation is directly inserted into the tumor tissue, mostly employed in the treatment of breast, head, and neck cancers.
Is brachytherapy better than other surgical methods?
Whether brachytherapy is better than other surgical procedures is based on the type and stage of cancer, individual health, and treatment goals. Brachytherapy, radiation therapy, is often suitable for individuals affected by prostate, cervical, breast, and skin cancers due to its precision, fast recovery time, and reduced side effects compared to surgery.
For prostate cancer, studies indicate that brachytherapy for cancer offers the same survival rates as surgery but with a reduced risk of incontinence and erectile dysfunction. It is also less invasive, making it a suitable option for older patients or those with other health issues.
Also, for cervical and breast cancers, brachytherapy is often combined with external radiation or other treatments to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. It directly targets the cancerous tissue, and minimizes the damage to nearby healthy organs.
Surgery will help a few individuals with large and aggressive cancer that has spread beyond the primary site. Methods such as radical prostatectomy or mastectomy can remove tumors completely, reducing the risk of recurrence.
Ultimately, brachytherapy is a highly effective, minimally invasive alternative to surgery, notably for early-stage cancers. A doctor’s recommendation will depend on the cancer type, patient’s health, and long-term prognosis.
Does brachytherapy shrink the tumor?
As mentioned above, brachytherapy can shrink tumors by exerting high doses of targeted radiation directly to the tumorous cells. Unlike external radiation, which passes through healthy tissues, brachytherapy places the radioactive source inside or very close to the tumor, maximizing its effect while minimizing damage to nearby tissues. Typically, the radiation works by disrupting the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from growing and multiplying. Over time, this can result in tumor shrinkage and at times it can completely eradicate the cancerous tissue.
Brachytherapy is a suitable option for localized cancers like prostate, cervical, and breast cancer, where precise radiation delivery is essential. The extent of tumor shrinkage depends on factors such as tumor size, stage, and type. Most of the time, brachytherapy is used along with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy, to enhance effectiveness. Patients can quickly recover compared to traditional radiation therapy.
What are the advantages of brachytherapy?
Brachytherapy greatly benefits cancer patients in several ways, so we can say that brachytherapy is an excellent choice for cancer treatment, also discuss with the best oncologist in Coimbatore before starting any treatment.
Higher precision and effectiveness:
Directly exerts radiation on the tumor, so the damage to the nearby healthy tissues can be greatly reduced. Ensures a concentrated radiation dose, making it highly effective in destroying cancer cells.
Fewer side effects:
Unlike external beam radiation, which may affect the nearby organs, brachytherapy reduces side effects like skin irritation, fatigue, and nausea.
Shorter treatment duration:
Several brachytherapy treatments are done within a few sessions. Notably, patients quickly recover when compared to conventional radiation therapies.
Outpatient procedure with minimal downtime:
Several individuals undergo brachytherapy without hospitalization. Faster recovery helps individuals to resume normal activities sooner.
Improved quality of life:
This treatment method may pose few side effects for patients, but they can experience better post-treatment well-being. The ability to preserve organ function enhances the long-term quality of life.
What’s the life expectancy after brachytherapy?
Several factors will determine the life expectancy after brachytherapy, like type and stage of cancer, overall health, and response to treatment. Brachytherapy is a highly effective form of internal radiation therapy, mostly used for prostate, cervical, breast, and skin cancers.
For prostate cancer, studies have suggested that patients treated with brachytherapy have a 10-year survival rate of over 80%, notably when diagnosed early. For cervical cancer, life expectancy varies but improves significantly when combined with external radiation and chemotherapy.
Generally, the prognosis is excellent for early-stage cancers, and several patients go on to live normal life spans. However, in severe cases, the survival rates depend on tumor response and overall treatment. Frequent screening, following a healthy lifestyle, and timely medical interventions can further improve longevity.
Simply, brachytherapy is a well-established treatment with high success rates, offering hope for long-term survival and improving quality of life. During the procedure, most individuals will experience some level of discomfort, and also pain management options are available if needed. Based on the cancer type and treatment, your life expectancy will change.
Can brachytherapy treat all types of cancers?
Brachytherapy can effectively treat most types of cancers, like:
- Prostate cancer: Often, permanent seed implants or HDR therapy is done to treat prostate cancer.
- Cervical cancer: Intracavitary brachytherapy is used to treat cervical cancer.
- Breast cancer: Post-surgery, this method is performed to prevent the recurrence.
- Head and neck cancer: Treats tumors in the oral cavity and throat.
- Lung and esophageal cancer: Provides localized treatment with minimal impact on lung function.
- Skin cancer: Offers targeted therapy without major cosmetic damage.
Which types of cancers are 100% curable?
Some cancers are considered curable only if diagnosed earlier and treated properly. Also, remember that no cancer can be guaranteed 100% curable, the following cancer types have very high survival rates:
- Prostate cancer: When diagnosed on time, with the help of proper treatments like surgery, radiation, or brachytherapy, patients can live up to 5 years.
- Thyroid cancer: A few types, like papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, have a 98 to 100% survival rate with timely surgery and therapy.
- Testicular cancer: With the help of chemotherapy or surgery, the cure rate exceeds 95%, even in advanced stages.
- Breast cancer: In case, diagnosed in stage 0 or 1, the survival rate is 100% only with the help of treatment.
- Skin cancer: The common skin cancers are almost curable with early removal.
Simply, timely detection, frequent screenings, and lifestyle changes play a significant role in ensuring the best outcomes.
What’s the success rate of brachytherapy?
You need to understand that the success rate of brachytherapy depends on the type and stage of your cancer, but it is generally very high, especially for early-stage tumors. For prostate cancer, studies show a 10-year survival rate of over 80 to 90% when diagnosed and treated early. In cervical cancer, when combined with external radiation and chemotherapy, brachytherapy will greatly increase the survival rates, reaching up to 70 to 90% in the early stages.
Fortunately, for breast and skin cancers, the success rates exceed 90% with minimal side effects. The key to successful treatment lies in timely diagnosis, precise radiation delivery, and proper follow-up care, making brachytherapy a suitable and targeted treatment option for cancer.
What is the brachytherapy procedure?
Individuals who think about getting brachytherapy may wonder when coming to know about the treatment process.
Before the procedure:
Prior to the procedure, a consultation session will be scheduled with the oncologist to determine the eligibility. Imaging tests such as MRI and CT scans are used to locate the tumor precisely. According to the individual’s tumor size and location, a customized treatment plan will be developed.
During the procedure:
The radiation source is given after local or general anesthesia. Typically, the procedure takes a few minutes to an hour, based on the type of brachytherapy.
After the procedure:
Temporary implants will be removed once the suitable radiation dose is delivered. Also, the permanent implants remain, but they will lose their radiation over time. Individuals may go through mild discomfort but can resume daily activities quickly.
Patients can manage to tolerate the brachytherapy pain, but some potential issues may develop based on the treatment site like localized swelling, fatigue, discomfort, or mild pain.
How does brachytherapy enhance cancer treatment?
Firstly, brachytherapy stands out as a highly targeted cancer treatment that offers individuals key benefits. The primary advantage is its precision, since the radiation source is positioned directly inside or near the tumor, it exerts concentrated doses to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. This significantly lowers the damage to the surrounding organs and greatly reduces the side effects such as nausea, fatigue, or skin irritation.
The next major benefit is the shorter treatment duration compared to conventional radiation therapy. Most of the patients will start to notice visible changes within a few sessions of brachytherapy treatment in Coimbatore, which promotes faster recovery and reduces disruptions to their daily routine. Further, brachytherapy is an outpatient procedure, so individuals do not need to stay in the hospital, which makes it a convenient option.
Brachytherapy also enhances long-term outcomes and quality of life. In a few cancer types, like prostate and cervical cancer, it assists in preserving organ function and lowering complications that might interfere with normal bodily functions. The therapy has shown great effectiveness in treating different cancers, like prostate, breast, cervical, and head & neck cancers.
Simply, brachytherapy offers a safe, precise, and highly effective alternative to conventional radiation, which makes brachytherapy a preferred choice for several patients and oncologists.
Is brachytherapy right for you?
Before choosing brachytherapy, you need to consider several factors like:
- Cancer type: Certain types of cancers greatly respond to brachytherapy than any other methods.
- Overall health: Individuals with pre-existing conditions require alternative treatments
- Healthcare provider’s recommendations: Your doctor will check whether brachytherapy is the best choice for your health condition.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we can say that brachytherapy plays a significant role in cancer treatment, offering precision, fewer side effects, and quicker recovery compared to the traditional method. With its ability to target tumors effectively while preserving nearby healthy tissues, it is a suitable option for several cancer patients. If you or a loved one is trying out different treatment options, discuss with a specialist to see if brachytherapy suits your condition.
