Brachytherapy is derived from the Greek word "brachy" meaning close and means treatment at close range. Radiation sources are placed in the immediate vicinity of or within the treatment area. For a successful result, it may be necessary to give a very high dose in some tumors. However, it may not be possible to give this dose externally in treatment devices as it may cause too much damage to normal tissues. For this reason, radioactive sources are placed in or near the tumor with some cylinders, needles, etc. devices. The radiation spreads over a limited distance and while the tumoral tissue receives a high dose, the dose drops very quickly on the normal tissue behind the tumor, thus minimizing the damage. These devices are removed after the procedure.
We can apply brachytherapy in different types of cancer. In uterine cancers, we apply it to the vaginal stump alone or in addition to external treatment after surgery, and in advanced stage cervical cancers, we apply it to the inside and/or close to the tumor with various applicators after direct external radiotherapy treatment without surgery. It is possible to apply it directly into the tumor with needles during surgery, especially in esophagus (esophagus) or bronchus (lung tube) cancers, with plaques in the prostate, eye tumors, or with needles during surgery, as in recurrent head and neck cancers, some soft tissue cancers or early stage breast cancers. .
Apart from brachytherapy, which is performed by placing needles into the tissue in the operating room, it is possible to perform the procedure by applying simple sedatives to the patient. Especially in gynecological cancers, anesthesia may not be needed depending on the patient's pain threshold level. Brachytherapy is generally applied in 1-5 sessions, depending on the place where it is applied and the treatments received before. It must be applied under sterile conditions. Side effects vary depending on where it is applied.
We apply brachytherapy mostly to women with cancer. Side effects that may occur when applied to female cancers:
Frequent urination due to irritation and infection in the urinary tract, burning during urination, rarely bleeding
Difficulty in defecation, pain, bleeding, especially in those with a history of hemorrhoids
>Stenosis and dryness in the vagina
Rarely, the possibility of second cancer due to treatment (earliest treatment It occurs 10-15 years after the procedure)
After the procedure, the patient does not carry radiation and there is no harm in physical contact. In case of urinary tract complaints, drinking plenty of water, antibiotics or urinary antiseptics may be recommended. You can return to your sexual life 4-6 weeks after the treatment, and even sexual intercourse is recommended to prevent vaginal stenosis. If dryness is felt in the vagina, there is no harm in using simple gels, especially those that do not contain hormones. If your complaints are reported, your Radiation Oncologist and Nurse will give you the necessary advice.
Read: 0
