PURPOSE Historically, treatment of malignant surface lesions has been achieved with linear accelerator based electron beams or superficial x-ray beams. Recent developments in the field of brachytherapy now allow for the treatment of surface lesions with specialized conical applicators placed directly on the lesion. Applicators are available for use with high dose rate (HDR)(192)Ir sources, as w...

PURPOSE Historically, treatment of malignant surface lesions has been achieved with linear accelerator based electron beams or superficial x-ray beams. Recent developments in the field of brachytherapy now allow for the treatment of surface lesions with specialized conical applicators placed directly on the lesion. Applicators are available for use with high dose rate (HDR)(192)Ir sources, as w...

In the recent years, interstitial brachytherapy implantation has become the treatment of choice for early stage prostate cancer patients. Treatment of prostate cancer with radiation is traced back to 1909. Originally this treatment modality was very crude and could not gain much popularity till 1982. Advancements in radioactive source designs, introduction of new low energy radioactive sources,...

The AAPM Low Energy Brachytherapy Source Calibration Working Group was formed to investigate and recommend quality control and quality assurance procedures for brachytherapy sources prior to clinical use. Compiling and clarifying recommendations established by previous AAPM Task Groups 40, 56, and 64 were among the working group's charges, which also included the role of third-party handlers to...

BACKGROUND Although (192)Ir intracoronary brachytherapy has been demonstrated to dramatically reduce the recurrence of in-stent restenosis, up to 24% of these patients will still require repeat target-vessel revascularization. The short- and long-term outcomes of repeat percutaneous intervention in this population have not been characterized. METHODS AND RESULTS Analysis was performed of all ...

This article reviews the indications, techniques, and results of brachytherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and selected chest neoplasms. Various isotopes and techniques are used to place radioactive sources directly into a tumor, tumor bed, or the chest. Brachytherapy techniques can be tailored to the clinical situation and can be in the form of permanent interstitial...

Brachytherapy consists of placing radioactive sources into or adjacent to tumors, to deliver conformal radiation treatment. The technique is used for treatment of primary malignancies and for salvage in recurrent disease. Permanent prostate brachytherapy seeds are small metal implants containing radioactive sources of I-125, Pd-103, or Cs-131 encased in a titanium shell. They can embolize throu...

PURPOSE The aim of this study is to compare the dose in various soft tissues in brachytherapy with photon emitting sources. MATERIAL AND METHODS (103)Pd, (125)I, (169)Yb, (192)Ir brachytherapy sources were simulated with MCNPX Monte Carlo code, and their dose rate constant and radial dose function were compared with the published data. A spherical phantom with 50 cm radius was simulated and t...

in the recent years, interstitial brachytherapy implantation has become the treatment of choice for early stage prostate cancer patients. treatment of prostate cancer with radiation is traced back to 1909. originally this treatment modality was very crude and could not gain much popularity till 1982. advancements in radioactive source designs, introduction of new low energy radioactive sources,...