Brachy radiotherapy explained

Because the source sits near the target, radiation can be concentrated locally while the treatment team plans exposure to surrounding organs.

A radiation oncologist may position an applicator in a body cavity or place thin tubes or seeds within tissue. Imaging helps map the target and nearby structures. A source may travel into an applicator for a treatment session and then be removed, or small sources may remain in the body while their radiation gradually becomes weaker.

Brachytherapy is different from external-beam radiotherapy, which directs radiation from a machine outside the body. One approach may be used alone or combined with the other, depending on the cancer site, its extent, previous treatment, anatomy, and the aim of care.

Tell the team about medicines, implants, allergies, pregnancy possibility, urinary or bowel problems, and previous surgery or radiotherapy. Follow specific directions for fasting, bowel preparation, bladder filling, anaesthesia, transport home, and caring for an applicator or catheter.

After a session, use prescribed pain relief and follow instructions on activity, bathing, sexual activity, and wound or catheter care. Safety precautions around other people depend on whether a radioactive source remains in place. Temporary sources leave no radiation in the body after removal; implanted sources may require tailored distance or contact advice for a period set by the treatment team.

Report fever, increasing pain, foul-smelling discharge, worsening bleeding, trouble passing urine, repeated vomiting, severe diarrhoea, or an applicator or catheter that shifts or falls out. Do not push a displaced device back into position yourself.

Get urgent help for heavy bleeding, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, sudden weakness, or inability to pass urine with increasing lower abdominal pain. For less urgent symptoms, the radiotherapy team can advise whether they reflect expected irritation of tissues near the treated area or need an examination.

Ask whether the source is temporary or implanted, how it will be placed, what anaesthesia is planned, and which nearby organs may be irritated. Confirm the treatment goal, likely short- and longer-term effects, fertility or sexual-health implications, and any precautions for contact with children or pregnant people.