Brachytherapy Flashcards
What are the 3 common Gamma radiation sources used in brachytherapy?
- Caesium 137 (0.662MeV)
- Iridium 192 (0.38 MeV)
- Iodine 125 ( 0.035 MeV)
What are the 4 implantation types?
INTRACAVITARY
INTERSTITIAL
INTRALUMINAL
SURFACE
What is INTRACAVITARY ?
Where the radiation source is place INSIDE the body cavity
What is INTERSTITIAL?
Where an applicator is inserted directly into tissue
What is INTRALUMINAL?
Where an applicator is placed in the lumen
What is surface brachytherapy?
Moulds made to be placed onto the treatment area
Name 3 sites for INTRACAVITARY brachytherapy?
Rectum
Vaginal vault
Cervix
Name 6 sites that receive INTERSTITIAL brachytherapy?
Prostate
Breast
Anus
Vulva
Vagina
Head and neck
Name two sites that receive surface brachytherapy?
Eye
Skin
What are the two timescales used for brachytherapy?
Temporary
Permenant
Detail what happens in temporary brachytherapy?
Radiation source is inserted under General anesthetic
They remain in place for a number of days
They are removed at the end of treatment
Detail what happens for permanent brachytherapy?
Radiation source remains in for life
Radioactive source decays over time and patient receives a continuous dose delivery
Patient must agree to radiation protection conditions following radioactive implant
What are the 3 dose rate types?
LDR = Low dose rate
HDR = High dose rate
PDR= Pulsed dose rate (temporary)
What are the two types of afterloading?
Manual afterloading
Remote afterloading
What is manual afterloading?
Where radiotherapist manual issues radiation dose in the room (whilst wearing radiation protection)
