Brachytherapy Afterloader

A brachytherapy afterloader is a machine that moves a sealed radiation source through temporary treatment applicators.

The applicator is placed in or beside the treatment area by the clinical team. The source remains inside the shielded machine until the planned treatment begins, so staff do not need to handle it at the bedside.

Before treatment, the team plans where the source should pause and for how long. Tubes connect the applicator to the afterloader. During delivery, the machine follows that plan and then withdraws the source back into its shielded housing.

You may be asked to stay still while the machine is operating. Staff can monitor and speak with you from outside the room, and they can stop the process if needed.

An afterloader is a delivery device, not a diagnosis or a treatment decision by itself. Whether brachytherapy suits a person depends on the cancer site, nearby tissues, previous treatment, and the overall care plan.

The machine cannot compensate for an applicator that has moved, which is why positioning checks and imaging may be part of the appointment.

Some people receive radiation from a machine outside the body, while others may have brachytherapy delivered with a different technique. Your radiation oncology team selects an approach based on the area needing treatment and the aim of care.

Seeing the equipment can feel unfamiliar, but the afterloader is designed to carry out a carefully prepared plan. Ask whether your applicator will be placed before the visit or during it, how you will communicate with staff, and what sensations are expected afterwards.

The radiation source is contained in the machine except during the planned delivery. The team uses checks of the equipment and your position before treatment. Tell staff promptly if you have pain, feel unable to remain still, or notice a change in how the applicator feels.