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Intravascular Brachytherapy (IVRT) | Intravascular Brachytherapy | Protstate Seed Therapy | Mammosite Brachytherapy | Gliosite Brachytherapy High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HRB)High Dose Rate Brachytherapy involves the use of a high-intensity radioactive source to treat a variety of malignant tumors. Many patients from around the midwest come to St. Luke's Regional Cancer Center to receive this treatment. HDR uses a single, tiny high-intensity radioactive source that travels through a tube to one or more applicators temporarily implanted in the patient. While traditional radioactive implants required a 1-5 day hospital admittance with the patient immobilized, HDR treatments last from 2-3 hours on an outpatient basis. The course of treatment may result in several applications to achieve the desired results. This form of treatment is used to treat cancers of the cervix, uterus, vagina, lung, brain, esophagus and common bile duct. Intravascular Brachytherapy (IVBT)Intravascular brachytherapy can reduce the reoccurrence of coronary artery blockage in patients who have received successful interventional cardiology procedure. Treating a previously stented artery with a dose of (beta) radiation can reduce the rate of reoccurring blockages in coronary arteries. [ Top of page ] Prostate Seed TherapyThis therapy, also known as Radioactive Seed Implantation, has proven to be a safe, effective and efficient treatment for men with early prostate cancer. It can be done as an outpatient procedure in a same-day surgery setting. The current 5-year results are at least as good as removal of the prostate gland without needing to go through major surgery. The earlier the prostate cancer is detected, the more effective the treatment, so it is important for men to have an annual rectal exam and PSA test.
Iodine 125 and Palladium 103 give up to 90% of their radioactivity within a short time, 6 months and 2 months, respectively. By 1 year, the radioactivity can be considered minimal. The physician will implant 50-100 seeds, each much smaller than a grain of rice, into the prostate gland. The entire gland is treated to ensure that even microscopic amounts of cancer are killed. [ Top of page ] Mammosite BrachytherapyMammosite Brachytherapy is a specialized procedure used to treat early stage breast cancer. A catheter is placed in the breast at the time of lumpectomy by the surgeon. This permits the introduction of the high dose radiation source directly inside of the breast at the position of the excised tumor. The tumor bed and surrounding tissue that may contain residual microscopic tumor cells are treated without treating the entire breast or chest wall. This treatment is delivered on an outpatient basis for 1 week (5 treatments), after which the catheter is removed. Gliosite BrachytherapyGliosite Brachytherapy is a procedure that delivers radiation to the edges of a brain tumor surgical cavity. A balloon is placed during surgery at the location of the tumor. Liquid radiation is then placed in the balloon in an effort to treat any residual cancer cells. Following the procedure the catheter is removed. The treatment lasts about one week with the patient hospitalized during this time. [ Top of page ]
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With
the seed therapy, the physician implants radioactive "seeds"
into the prostate gland. These radioactive seeds (either Iodine 125 or
Palladium 103) give low energy X-rays which are just right for destroying
the cancer in the prostate, but leaves the rest of the body alone.
