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Image Guided Brachytherapy (IGBT)

Brachytherapy is a mode of cancer treatment that involves the insertion of radioactive implants directly into the tumor, thereby allowing the delivery of higher doses of radiation to tumors while sparing toxicity to surrounding normal tissues. It is commonly used as an effective treatment for cervical, head and neck, endometrial, vaginal, breast, esophageal, skin, and sarcomas.

Historically, 2-dimensional brachytherapy utilized X-ray based treatment planning. With the evolution of Image Guided Brachytherapy (IGBT) and the utilization of CT/MRI/PET CT for target delineation and planning, there was better local control and a reduction in side effects.

Advantages of Image Guided Brachytherapy

  • Verification of tandem placement in the uterine cavity and decreasing the risk of treating a patient with a uterine perforation
  • The ability to use more combined intracavitary/interstitial techniques (Vienna applicator) for locally advanced disease to achieve better coverage of gross disease while sparing normal tissue
  • Helps to have a better understanding of the doses delivered to other normal tissues at risk, especially the small bowel, rectum, bladder and the potential to spare dose to these organs

Image-Guided-Brachytherapy