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Monmouth Medical Center continues to be the region’s leader
in offering internal radiation therapy, which involves the placement
of the radioactive substance directly in or in close proximity
to the cancer site.
Monmouth's prominence in brachytherapy — a specialized form
of internal radiation therapy — took root in 1998 when Monmouth
introduced two advanced radiation implant therapies for the treatment
of prostate cancer — high-dose rate (HDR)
brachytherapy for intermediate or advanced-stage disease and
low-dose rate (LDR) permanent
seed brachytherapy for early cancers.
Internal radiation therapy places the source of the high-energy
rays as close as possible to the cancer cells so that fewer normal
cells are exposed to radiation. Additionally, a higher total dose
of radiation can be delivered in a shorter time, compared to external
treatment.
Instead of using a large radiation machine, the radioactive material
is placed directly into — or as close as possible to — the
affected area. Some of the radioactive substances used for internal
radiation treatment include cesium, iridium, iodine, phosphorus
and palladium.
While implant radiation means internal radiation treatment, it
also is referred to in other terms, including interstitial radiation,
intracavitary radiation or brachytherapy. Each is a different form
of internal radiation therapy:
- In brachytherapy, the radioactive source,
which is sealed in a small container, is placed on the surface
of the body near the tumor or a short distance from the affected
area.
- Interstitial radiation involves the placement of the radiation
source directly in the affected tissue, usually in small tubes
or containers. These implants may be temporary or permanent.
- When intracavitary radiation is used, a container of radioactive
material is placed in a cavity of the body such as the uterus.
- Internal radiation also may be given by injecting a solution
of radioactive substance into the bloodstream or a body cavity.
When the substance is injected, it is not sealed in a container
and may be called unsealed internal radiation therapy.
Internal radiation therapy often is used for cancers of the prostate, breast, head
and neck, uterus, thyroid, cervix. It also can be combined
with external radiation therapy, including IMRT, IGRT,
neuroradiosurgery and TomoTherapy and chemotherapy.
There are two types of brachtherapy:
-- is used
for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, as well as for certain
types of breast, gynecologic, lung, head and neck and extremity
cancers.
The technique involves implanting radioactive sources through a
computed-guided minimally invasive technique into a confined area.
These temporary catheters emit high doses of radiation that destroy
the cancer cells, sparing normal surrounding tissues. The implants
are immediately removed after each treatment session.
Several years ago, HDR brachytherapy reached a new level of precision
and sophistication with implementation of real-time, dynamic computer-assisted
planning technology.
Mammosite technology — another form of HDR brachytherapy
offered at Monmouth — is benefiting certain breast
cancer patients by reducing treatment time by about five weeks.
Some lung and head
and neck cancer patients are treated using this type of approach.
-- involves
the placement of low-energy radiation seeds— in contrast
to HDR brachytherapy. The treatment has shown much success in the
treatment of early stage prostate
cancer.
Additional information on internal radiation therapy, including
the various forms of brachytherapy, is available from the National
Cancer Institute, National
Comprehensive Cancer Network and American
Cancer Society.
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Radiation Oncology
Monmouth Medical Center
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Treatment Technology
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