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HDR Brachytherapy

High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a technique using a relatively intense source of radiotherapy (typically 10 Curie source made of Iridium 192) to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiotherapy through temporarily placed needles, catheters, or other applicators.

The radioactive source is contained within the capsule at the end of the VariSource source wire

The source is usually attached to (or embedded in) the end of a wire or cable. The wire drives catheters into applicators that have previously been placed in the patient. The source dwells in a preplanned position for a preset time before stepping along the catheter. This process repeats to create the required dose distribution.

By varying the position and dwell time, the dose can be neatly sculpted to provide a dose geometry conforming to the shape of the target. The patient typically receives the total dose in a series of 2-10 treatment sessions, also known as fractions.

A typical 'Ring Applicator' used for treating cancer of the cervix

For HDR Brachytherapy, Varian supplies

  • Afterloaders: VariSource™ iX and GammaMedplus™ iX
  • Treatment planning software: BrachyVision™ brachytherapy treatment planning system, BrachyVision Acuros™ advanced dose calculation and Vitesse™ real time planning for HDR brachytherapy
  • Applicators and accessories

The computer-controlled afterloader technique provides significant advantages over older, manual loaded brachytherapy techniques:

BrachyVision treatment plan for HDR brachytherapy treatment of the cervix
  • Prospective treatment plans performed after applicator placement, but before radiotherapy delivery, potentially eliminate unintended radiotherapy dose, and should eliminate staff dose completely
  • The computer controlled stepping of the source permits exquisite shaping of the dose distribution, to adequately encompass target tissues while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible
  • The rapid dose delivery supports more patient friendly out-patient treatments

HDR brachytherapy has proven to be a highly successful treatment for cancers of the prostate, cervix, endometrium, breast, skin, bronchus, esophagus, and head and neck, as well as soft tissue sarcomas and several other types of cancer.

 

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BrachyTherapy
Tel: 1.888.666.7847
Fax: 1.434.979.1481
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