High-Dose Rate (HDR)

High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachyther­a­py, some­times called inter­nal radi­a­tion ther­a­py, is when a small, radi­a­tion source is placed direct­ly with­in or near a tumor. This helps to spare or reduce radi­a­tion expo­sure to oth­er organs.

HDR Brachyther­a­py works by insert­ing tiny, hol­low catheters tem­porar­i­ly into a tumor. Seed like pel­lets are then insert­ed into each catheter. By using a com­put­er guid­ed sys­tem your radi­a­tion oncol­o­gist can con­trol how far the pel­let is insert­ed and how long the pel­let stays in the catheter to release its radi­a­tion dose.

Brachyther­a­py offers a quick­er, more effec­tive type of radi­a­tion treat­ment for some patients. For many can­cer types, the entire brachyther­a­py treat­ment takes one to two days, instead of five to sev­en weeks for exter­nal beam radi­a­tion ther­a­py. Depend­ing on the type and stage of can­cer, HDR may be used alone or in com­bi­na­tion with oth­er treat­ment types. HDR Brachyther­a­py can be used to treat var­i­ous types of can­cer includ­ing breast, skin, prostate and gynecologic.