Brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation therapy which places radioactive tracers or sources in the form of pellets, seeds, capsules, wires, needles or tubes, directly inside or near the tumor location in the body and destroys cancer cells and helps in shrinkage of tumor mass.
What are the advantages of Brachytherapy or Internal beam radiation therapy compared to external beam radiotherapy?
- Higher dose of radiation can be delivered in a smaller area which might not be done with external radiation treatment.
- Due to the placement of tracers just near or inside the tumor, there is minimal harm to the nearby normal tissue. This makes it more precise for radiation dose delivery.
- Also, the radiation oncologist can use a higher total dose of radiation to treat a smaller area within less time than external beam radiation therapy.
- Decreases risk of radiation-induced second malignancies, which is a serious concern in children.
Brachytherapy for cancer treatment provides a local radiation treatment since it treats only a specific part of body. Brachytherapy is often used to treat cancers of the breast, head and neck, cervix, prostate, eye, skin, gall bladder, etc. In case of pediatric cancers, brachytherapy is used for rare cancers like rhabdomyosarcoma.
What are the types of brachytherapy?
- Based on the duration of radioactive tracer placement inside body, brachytherapy can be temporary or permanent:
- Temporary brachytherapy – Temporary brachytherapy uses implants such as hollow tubes (catheters), needles, balloons that are placed or implanted near or into the tumor for a specific period and then later removed after the treatment is over. It can be either given at a low-dose rate (LDR) or high-dose rate (HDR).
Advantages of HDR brachytherapy:
- High doses in short time and directly into the tumor mass
- Less painful to the patient
- Less time consuming (usually day-care admission)
- Quick recovery and thus patient can be back to work soon
- Permanent brachytherapy or seed implantation – The radioactive seeds measuring about the size of a grain of rice are placed in or near the tumor permanently. The seeds lose their radioactivity gradually in certain months.
- Based on the placement of the radiation dose delivery devices or applicators in the patient’s body:
- Intraluminal – Applicators placement inside tubular organs.
- Uses: cancer of esophagus, bronchus, endometrial cancer
- Intracavitary – Applicators placement inside hollow organs.
- Interstitial – Certain needles/catheters are placed through the tumor.
- Uses: prostate cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, buccal mucosa and lip cancer
What is Martinez Universal Perineal Interstitial Template (MUPID)?
Martinez Universal Perineal Interstitial Template (MUPIT) is named after Martinez, as one of the devices in brachytherapy. It is an interstitial template with insertion needles to be placed at perineal region, especially used in treatment of gynecological cancers such as cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, perineum, prostate cancer in men, etc.
Martinez Universal Perineal Interstitial Template (MUPID) is used for which type of cancer?
Martinez Universal Perineal Interstitial Template (MUPID) is used especially in cancer of prostate, cervix, vagina, perineum and anorectal. It helps in a better and controlled placement as well as delivery of the radioactive tracer substance into the tumor region and provides precise exposure.
What are the advantages of using MUPID in gynecological cancers treatment?
- Controlled placement as well as delivery of the radioactive tracer substance allowing precision in the treatment of tumor area.
- Improved local control
- Reduced toxicity
- Improved overall survival for women
At American Oncology Institute (AOI), we offer better diagnosis and treatment with our advanced techniques and machines for various types of cancers including gynaecological malignancies. At AOI, we have advanced facilities for treatment of gynaecological malignancies such as Mupid perineal template which is one of the most flexible form of gynecologic brachytherapy available at very few cancer care centers. With AOI, you can feel assured for a standard and advanced cancer treatment.
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