How effective is brachytherapy for gynaecological cancer?

Top Doctors recently spoke to distinguished clinical oncologist, Dr Tony Mathew, to discuss all things brachytherapy. Here, Dr Mathew details what the treatment involves.

When is brachytherapy considered for gynaecological cancer treatment?

It is a procedure commonly used to treat cervix and endometrial cancers. It involves directing radioactive material inside the body. This is sometimes called internal radiation.

Brachytherapy allows us to use higher doses of radiation than would be possible with external radiation. This is because brachytherapy delivers radiation directly to the treatment area. This lowers the risk of damaging healthy tissue that is nearby.

What does brachytherapy involve? How is the radioactive material placed?

Brachytherapy treatment involves putting radioactive material into the body near the cancer or where the cancer used to be. Placement may be inside a body cavity or in body tissue. Imaging tests such CT scans, MRI or even ultrasound are used to plan the treatment in relation to delivering the appropriate dose.

How many sessions are usually needed?

This depends on the type of brachytherapy used. Usually for gynaecological cancer, it can be conducted over three shorter insertions, but long sessions where a smaller dose is given over a prolonged period of time can also be used.

What are the side effects and possible risks involved?

With any type of radiation therapy, you can experience systemic side effects such as fatigue. The bowel and bladder can also be exposed to radiation. Most patients recover from these side effects between four to six weeks after treatment.

Can brachytherapy be combined with other procedures?

Generally, in cervical cancer, brachytherapy is given near the end of external beam radiotherapy. The aim of this is to increase the dose to the region that is most at risk of recurrence.

How effective is brachytherapy for gynaecological cancer?

Brachytherapy is an essential part of curing locally advanced cervix cancers around the world. It is a very effective way of achieving a high dose of radiation to the region.

If you would like to schedule in an appointment with Dr Tony Mathew, you can do so via his Top Doctors profile today.