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Trends in brachytherapy utilization in Canada from 2011 to 2020
Mirta Dumančić1,2, Yujing Zou1,2, Harry Glickman1,2
1Medical Physics Unit, Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Physics and Imaging in Radiation Oncology
|May 11, 2026
Summary
Brachytherapy utilization in Canada showed regional variations from 2011-2020. While high-dose-rate brachytherapy increased, low-dose-rate declined, with overall national use remaining stable despite provincial differences.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiotherapy
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Brachytherapy is a conformal, cost-effective radiotherapy. Its clinical use has declined in many areas.
- Investigating brachytherapy utilization trends in Canadian provinces (2011-2020) is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze national and provincial brachytherapy utilization trends.
- To identify factors influencing brachytherapy practice variations across Canada.
Main Methods:
- A national survey of medical physicists in Canadian cancer centres.
- Collected data on brachytherapy types, treatments, indications, and logistics.
- Included complementary data for Québec to extend provincial analysis.
Main Results:
- 25 of 39 centres participated; High-Dose-Rate (HDR) brachytherapy increased (60-100% of treatments), Low-Dose-Rate (LDR) declined.
- Utilization decreased in Alberta and British Columbia; increased in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan.
- No significant change nationally or in Manitoba and Québec.
Conclusions:
- Significant regional disparities in brachytherapy utilization and practices exist.
- Reimbursement, personnel, infrastructure, and clinician preferences influence trends.
- HDR use is increasing nationally, LDR is declining, but overall utilization was sustained 2011-2020.
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