Use of brachytherapy in children with cancer: the search for an uncomplicated cure.

Brachytherapy is a sophisticated radiation method in which radioisotopes are placed inside or at a short distance from the tumour. The volume of tissue that receives the prescribed dose of radiotherapy is therefore fairly small compared with that used in standard radiotherapy techniques. In paediatric oncology, this method of radiation delivery can have a favourable effect on several undesirable long-term side-effects that sometimes develop in children who receive radiotherapy, such as growth retardation and development of second primary tumours. Here, we describe the rationale for use of brachytherapy in children with cancer, the methods of the different brachytherapy techniques available, and the results obtained with several brachytherapy regimens in expert institutions throughout the world.