Brachytherapy: An overview for clinicians.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive sources directly within or adjacent to tumors.
• It is a crucial radiotherapy modality for diverse cancer types.
• This technique allows for focal high-dose delivery, reducing normal tissue complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical relevance of brachytherapy.
• To focus on indications, evidence levels, and outcomes for brachytherapy in cancer care.
• To contextualize brachytherapy within the broader scope of radiation oncology.

Main Methods:

• Review of high-level evidence, including randomized controlled trials.
• Analysis of brachytherapy's role in specific cancer types.
• Discussion of clinical applications and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Brachytherapy is a standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer when combined with chemoradiation.
• It is indicated for uterine endometrial cancer post-surgery to reduce vaginal recurrence.
• Brachytherapy enables dose escalation in high-risk prostate cancer, improving progression-free survival.
• For breast cancer, it serves as adjuvant therapy, accelerated partial irradiation, or tumor bed boost.

Conclusions:

• Brachytherapy is a highly effective and versatile radiotherapy technique with established indications across multiple cancer types.
• Its precise application maximizes tumor control while preserving surrounding healthy tissues.
• Evidence from clinical trials supports its role in improving patient outcomes and reducing recurrence risks.