Brachytherapy is one of the mesothelioma treatment methods in use today. Brachytherapy is a mesothelioma treatment method similar to radiation therapy, and it consists of an irradiated rod placed into or near a tumor. This rod, implanted in the body, emits radiation to a small area, one or two centimeters, which is why it is a very common procedure used for mesothelioma treatments.
Because the radiation the little rod emits is concentrated on a small area, and it only affects the tumors and very little of the surrounding healthy tissue, it is a very effective maneuver. Also, the fact that is has very little side effects makes for a treatment that should be perfect for any mesothelioma patient.
The small rods are placed one by one by the use of a minor surgery, and by the help of a catheter.
HDR Mesothelioma Brachytherapy
HDR Brachytherapy or High Dose Rate brachytherapy is the use of larger sized of radioactive sources of internal radiation inserted into the body via the above mentioned rods, or alternatively called “seeds”. High Dose Rate brachytherapy will be performed on mesothelioma patients that have larger tumors. Mesothelioma HDR Brachytherapy will not affect the healthy tissue any more than normal brachytherapy does.
Types of Mesothelioma Brachytherapy
The types of brachytherapy for mesothelioma patients, be it High Dose Rate or normal brachytherapy, are the following:
- Temporary – the rods are placed inside the body for a limited period of time, after the doctor determined the exact amount of time they should stay there
- Permanent – the rods implanted will never be removed, and will continue to emit radiation, but over time the radiation will stop
Depending on the radiation dose rate and material used, radiation emission will cease after twelve months at most. Even though radioactive elements are present in the body, and even if it is cured, the radiation dose is so small after two or three months that it is unable to harm any of the organs in the vicinity.
The side effects that may occur are pain and swelling of the area the rod is inserted. The symptoms are barely there and they will most likely disappear after a few days. There are other side effects that can occur, but they are much less severe than side effects of other similar mesothelioma cancer treatment methods used.
Contact asbestosis and mesothelioma centers and find out what the latest news are regarding radiation therapy methods and asbestos cancer treatments. It is free and we will help deciding if you need this kind of radiation therapy, called brachytherapy.