Internal radiation therapy for brain tumors (also known
as brachytherapy, localized radiation, or interstitial
radiation) involves placing a source of radiation
directly into the tumor or the tissue surrounding the
tumor. Until recently, brachytherapy involved the
placement of a large number of radiation “seeds”
(approximately the size of a grain of rice) directly
into the cancerous tissue using numerous tube-like
catheters.
The major benefit of internal radiation is that a high
dose of radiation may be given directly to the tumor
site. The radiation is targeted in the area most likely
to contain cancer. At the same time, healthy tissue
around the tumor is less likely to be damaged by
radiation. Good clinical results have been documented
using this type of radiation therapy.
1,2,3
Unlike external beam radiation, internal radiation
therapy does not require the radiation to pass through
healthy tissue to reach the cancerous area. Because of
this, internal radiation is an option even for patients
who have already had external beam radiation. This
approach can be used to deliver radiation to a
recurrent brain tumor. Internal radiation therapy can
also provide a boost dose (additional radiation dose)
targeted to the tumor site with external beam radiation
for initial tumor treatment.
However, until now the complexity and complications
associated with internal radiation delivery have
limited use of the therapy. The GliaSite Radiation Therapy System (RTS) has made this
effective treatment easier to use.
Learn more
about the GliaSite procedure and how it is making
internal radiation therapy a more viable option for
brain tumor patients.
|
