Brachytherapy

Unlike external beam radiation therapy, which targets tumors from outside the body, brachytherapy uses radioactive sources placed inside or near the tumor. With brachytherapy, your sarcoma care team can use higher doses of radiation than with external radiation. 

This is because it allows for highly precise radiation delivery to the treatment area, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Additionally, your treatment time may be briefer with brachytherapy because a higher dose of radiation can be safely delivered in one shot.

Brachytherapy can be used for sarcoma treatment in two ways:

• Interstitial Brachytherapy: This method involves placing radioactive seeds inside the tumor bed. Following the surgical removal of the tumor, the surgeon inserts thin catheters (tubes) into a body cavity. After allowing five or six days for healing, a radiation oncologist inserts radioactive seeds into each catheter. These seeds transmit a high dose of radiation therapy over several days (usually five) and are then removed.
• Intracavitary Brachytherapy: In this case, brachytherapy may involve placing radioactive sources within the body cavity near the tumor. This method is less common for sarcomas but can be considered depending on the specific location of the tumor.

Brachytherapy offers several potential benefits for sarcoma treatment:

• Targeted Radiation Delivery: By delivering radiation directly to the tumor site, brachytherapy minimizes damage to healthy surrounding tissues. This is particularly important after surgery when some healthy tissue may be exposed during the operation.
• Effective Treatment: Brachytherapy can be highly effective for some early-stage sarcomas, especially when combined with surgery.
• Reduced Treatment Duration: Compared to external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy often requires a shorter treatment duration (e.g., five days vs. several weeks).
• Outpatient Treatment: Depending on the complexity of the case and any combination with other therapies, brachytherapy may be suitable for outpatient treatment.

Brachytherapy is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Our team creates a personalized treatment plan for you based on factors such as:

• The type and stage of your sarcoma
• The location of the tumor
• Your overall health
• Your sensitivity to potential side effects

Brachytherapy can be used at different stages of sarcoma treatment:

• Post-Operative Brachytherapy: Following surgery to remove a sarcoma, brachytherapy can be used to destroy any microscopic cancer cells remaining in the tumor bed. This approach helps reduce the risk of recurrence. 
• Adjuvant Therapy: Brachytherapy can also be used after surgery in a more general sense, providing an additional layer of treatment to eliminate potential microscopic diseases.
• Boost Therapy Effectiveness: In some cases, brachytherapy may be used as a "boost" after external beam radiation therapy. This high-dose approach targets a specific area to further enhance treatment effectiveness.

Side effects of brachytherapy can vary depending on the type and location of your treatment. 

Common short-term side effects may include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Redness in the treatment area

Long-term effects like fatigue and scarring are also possible, depending on the location and dose of radiation delivered. Your doctor can discuss the possible side effects specific to your case and the measures available to manage them.

Brachytherapy is a powerful tool used to fight sarcoma. Understanding how it works and its potential benefits and risks can empower you to make informed decisions about your treatment plan.

At our office in Santa Monica, we design personalized and innovative plans for treating a wide variety of sarcomas. Our experienced oncologists can discuss your situation and help explore your treatment options.  

To schedule a consultation, please call us at 310-552-9999 or request an appointment online.