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| HDR Brachytherapy |
Gynecologic Cancer - Treatment Options
For many of these female cancers, the radiation treatments given will include both external beam radiation therapy using a linear accelerator, and internal radiation called brachytherapy. The external radiation is used to deliver a dose of radiation to a larger area in the body. It gives a nice uniform dose over that area which frequently includes the tumor and draining lymph nodes. Internal radiation is given using a device called HDR--high dose rate brachytherapy. These HDR treatments that are often referred to as “implants” involve placing an apparatus inside the body very close to the cancer, and loading radiation into that apparatus and delivering a high dose of radiation over a short period of time. This is usually done for several doses or fractions ranging usually from 1-6 in number. Internal radiation is used when a dose of radiation needs to be delivered to a small area, by placing the radiation as close as possible to the cancer cells. That allows for a dose of radiation to be delivered to the cancer while the normal near-by organs get a very low dose. At RMG, we have the most active brachytherapy practice in San Diego County, and our physicians are well trained in this very important aspect of radiation therapy.
When HDR treatments are given, many of our staff will be directly involved with your care: a nurse to provide intravenous medication, comfort control, and assistance with placement of the implant; a member of the physics department to determine how the radiation dose can be delivered properly so that the cancer gets the maximum dose of radiation while normal organs are sparred a dose of radiation as much is as possible; a therapist to provide x-rays for dose determination; and the physician to accurately place the implant and determine a treatment plan. In addition these treatments must be given in suite that has been specially shielded for this purpose. For these reasons we have centralized the delivery of these HDR treatments at our Laurel office.
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Radiation Therapy Options
Cervical Cancer
Endometrial Cancer
Vaginal Cancer
Vulvar Cancer
Ovarian and Fallopian tube Cancer
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