High-dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is an advanced cancer treatment that delivers a highly concentrated dose of radiation near or in the tumor, while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. Brachytherapy is localized, precise and high-tech: radioactive seeds or wires are placed in or near the tumor itself. For that reason, brachytherapy is also called a “radiation implant” or “radioactive source.”
The dose of radiation (number of seeds) and length of time prescribed will depend on the tumor size, location and sensitivity to radiation.
With high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, thin catheters are first placed in the tumor. The catheters are then connected to an HDR afterloader. This machine contains a single highly radioactive iridium pellet at the end of a wire. The seed is pushed into each of the catheters one by one under computer control.
The computer controls how long the seed stays in each catheter (dwell time) and where along the catheter it should pause to release its radiation (dwell positions). With a few well-placed catheters in the tumor, HDR brachytherapy can provide a very precise treatment that takes only a few minutes. After a series of treatments, the catheters are removed, and there are no radioactive seeds left in the body.
Brachytherapy may be used alone or in combination with external beam radiation and/or surgery. It may cure, control or relieve symptoms of many different types of cancer. Some of the tumors Northwestern Medicine specialists treat with brachytherapy are:
- Prostate cancer
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Gynecologic cancers
- Anal/rectal cancers
- Sarcomas
Locations Performing this Treatment
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Northwestern Memorial Hospital
251 E. Huron St.Chicago, IL 60611place -
Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital
1000 N. Westmoreland RoadLake Forest, IL 60045place -
Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
25 N. Winfield RoadWinfield, IL 60190place -
Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital
300 Randall RoadGeneva, IL 60134place -
Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Warrenville
4405 Weaver PkwyWarrenville, IL 60555placePhone 630.352.5450 -
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University
675 N. Saint Clair St.Twenty-First Floor, Suite 100Chicago, IL 60611placePhone 866.LURIE.CC (587.4322) -
Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Cancer Center
10 Health Services DriveDeKalb, IL 60115placePhone 815.756.5255 -
Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital Cancer Center
4305 Medical Center DriveMcHenry, IL 60050placePhone 815.344.8000 -
Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Cancer Center
1310 N. Main St.Suite 201Sandwich, IL 60548placePhone 815.786.9197
Related Resources
Websites
- What Is Brachytherapy?: Learn more about how brachytherapy can be used to treat cancer.
- Types of Brachytherapy: Learn more about different types of brachytherapy and the different radiation precautions.
Downloads
- Intra-Cavitary Implants: A Woman’s Self-Care Guide: Learn more about preparing for intra-cavity implants.
- High-Dose Rate (HDR) Vaginal Cuff Radiation Therapy: Learn more about what to expect when undergoing this treatment.