What does brachytherapy treat?

Brachytherapy is internal radiotherapy. A doctor places radioactive seeds, wires, capsules or another source in a body cavity, tissue or applicator near the tumour. The treatment area and timing depend on the tumour’s location, size and treatment goal. It may be used for cervical cancer, womb cancer, vaginal cancer and prostate cancer. A small radioactive implant can also be used for some eye melanomas, while specialised internal radiation has a role in selected retinoblastoma cases. It may be the main local treatment, part of a wider plan, or used after another treatment to target an area at risk of remaining cancer cells.

Because the source is positioned near the target, surrounding tissue can receive less radiation than with some external approaches, but nearby organs can still be affected. The team explains anaesthesia, applicator placement, temporary or permanent implants and radiation-safety instructions.

Your radiation team will review scans, examination findings and previous treatment before recommending brachytherapy. Tell them about pregnancy, bleeding, infection, medicines that thin the blood and any difficulty with examinations or anaesthesia. Ask whether the implant is temporary or remains in place, how many visits are expected, and what activity or contact precautions apply after treatment. Follow preparation and aftercare instructions closely.

After treatment, contact the treating team for heavy bleeding, increasing pelvic or abdominal pain, fever, foul-smelling discharge, difficulty passing urine or inability to open your bowels. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, collapse or uncontrolled bleeding. For eye treatment, report sudden vision change or severe eye pain promptly.

What is the aim of brachytherapy in my treatment plan? Which organs could receive radiation? Will the source be temporary or permanent? What preparation, anaesthesia and aftercare will I need? How will you protect nearby tissue and assess the response?