Boost in radiotherapy: external beam sunset, brachytherapy sunrise

Area of Science:

• Radiation oncology
• Medical physics

Background:

• External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) dose escalation is limited by radiobiological constraints, potentially compromising treatment efficacy for certain cancers.
• Brachytherapy, a form of internal radiotherapy, offers a biological and clinical strategy to increase the radiation dose delivered to the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissues.

Approach:

• This work reviews the radiobiological principles underlying dose limitations in EBRT.
• It discusses the concept and clinical application of brachytherapy as a boost to EBRT or as a sole therapeutic modality.
• Different brachytherapy techniques are compared for their efficacy and feasibility.

Key Points:

• Oncentra Prostate system facilitates 3D conformal, real-time ultrasound-guided brachytherapy.
• This technology enables precise tumor targeting and dose delivery, crucial for effective brachytherapy.
• The system is presented as a viable option for either boosting an external beam course or as a standalone treatment.

Conclusions:

• Real-time ultrasound-guided 3D conformal brachytherapy, as exemplified by the Oncentra Prostate system, addresses the limitations of dose escalation in external radiotherapy.
• This approach enhances treatment efficacy for prostate cancer through precise dose delivery.
• Brachytherapy boost or sole therapy presents a significant advancement in radiation oncology.