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Secrets of Radiation Therapy: What is Brachytherapy and Why Is It So Effective?
In cancer treatment, brachytherapy (Brachytherapy), as an effective radiotherapy method, has received more and more attention. Brachytherapy is defined as the placement of a sealed radioactive source within or next to the area to be treated, a property that allows it to deliver concentrated and highly effective radiation directed at tumors.
The term brachytherapy comes from the Greek "βραχύς", which means "short distance".
Brachytherapy can be used to treat a variety of cancers, including cervical cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, and skin cancer. Studies have shown that the therapeutic effects of brachytherapy are not only comparable to surgery and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), but in some cases even better, especially when combined with these techniques.
Different from unenclosed source radiation therapy, brachytherapy places a short-range radioactive source (such as iodine-125 or cesium-131) precisely at the location of the tumor. This design greatly reduces the impact on surrounding healthy tissue. of radiation exposure. This local radiation feature can maximize the protection of surrounding healthy tissue and reduce side effects.
In addition, brachytherapy treatment times are typically shorter than other radiation therapy techniques, giving cancer cells less chance to divide and grow. Many patients also face varying numbers of radiation therapy visits after removal surgery, making brachytherapy a convenient option for patients.
The global brachytherapy market reached US$680 million in 2013, and it is expected that the market may grow to more than US$2.4 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of approximately 8%.
Among many medical applications, brachytherapy plays an important role in the treatment of cervical and prostate cancers. For example, in early-stage or localized lesions of cervical cancer, brachytherapy is widely considered one of the standard treatments. When combined with external radiation therapy, it can significantly improve patient outcomes.
For prostate cancer, brachytherapy options include permanent low-dose seed implantation or temporary high-dose radiation therapy. Studies have shown that these methods are as effective as surgery or external radiation therapy, have fewer side effects, and patients often return to their daily lives quickly.
Breast cancer and brachytherapy
Brachytherapy also shows good results in the treatment of breast cancer. After a mastectomy, brachytherapy can be used as a booster treatment with the primary goal of delivering radiation precisely to the breast tissue without damaging surrounding healthy tissue.
Brachytherapy for breast cancer not only provides highly effective local control but also reduces the number of treatment visits required compared with whole-breast radiation therapy.
As for the treatment of brain tumors, brachytherapy is designed to be a localized treatment targeting specific areas. For example, there are now specific implants targeted at the brain that can effectively control tumor growth without causing excessive side effects. .
The side effects and safety
However, brachytherapy is not without risks. Some patients may experience localized swelling or mild discomfort, but most acute side effects resolve on their own over time. However, long-term side effects, such as ongoing digestive or urinary tract problems, may require further treatment in some cases.
When patients undergo brachytherapy, they often worry about the radiation risks to family and friends. In response to this, doctors will give corresponding advice. Depending on the type of radiation therapy used, some patients may need to avoid close contact with children or pregnant women for a period of time after treatment.
Market Outlook
With further developments in radiotherapy technology, the market prospects for brachytherapy look bright. Analysts predict that microbead and electron brachytherapy as user-friendly technologies will drive continued growth of this market over the next few years.
In general, brachytherapy provides a new treatment option for cancer patients and is popular because of its significant therapeutic effects and high patient tolerance. In the future, will we see more types of diseases using this technology to give cancer patients a better quality of life and survival chances?
