[Brachytherapy role in pediatric rhabdomyosarcomas]

Brachytherapy in paediatric malignancies is rarely used, limited to expert institutions. The most frequent tumour sites treated with brachytherapy are gynaecological rhabdomyosarcomas, and prostate/bladder rhabdomyosarcomas. Ballistic advantages make brachytherapy technique the treatment of choice, with a high and selective protection of organs at risk. Techniques, brachytherapy modalities (low dose-rate, high dose-rate, pulsed dose-rate), doses and indications vary according to centres. Brachytherapy advantages are in relation with ballistic properties, allowing a very high dose to the target with normal tissue sparing. This review analyzes brachytherapy techniques, indications and results according to the two most frequent tumour sites: gynaecological and bladder/prostate tumours. This technique requires a muldisciplinary approach.