About Brachytherapy
Key Highlights
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Delivers a high, targeted radiation dose directly to the tumor site.Minimizes radiation exposure and damage to surrounding healthy organs and tissues.Often allows for a shorter overall treatment course compared to external beam radiation.Can be performed as a temporary implant (removed after treatment) or a permanent implant (seeds left in place).Offers a high degree of precision, tailored to the patient's specific tumor anatomy.
Who is this surgery for?
- Localized prostate cancer (a very common application).
- Cervical cancer, often in combination with external beam radiation.
- Breast cancer (as a boost after lumpectomy or as accelerated partial breast irradiation).
- Skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma.
- Head and neck cancers, including tumors of the tongue and floor of the mouth.
- Eye tumors (e.g., ocular melanoma).
- Certain gynecological cancers like endometrial or vaginal cancer.
How to prepare
- Complete medical evaluation, including imaging scans (CT, MRI, ultrasound) to map the tumor.
- Pre-procedure blood tests and possibly an ECG to assess fitness.
- For prostate brachytherapy, a pre-planning ultrasound may be done to determine seed placement.
- Discussion of anesthesia options (local, spinal, or general).
- Instructions regarding fasting if general anesthesia is planned.
- For gynecological procedures, a bowel prep may be required.
- Informed consent process detailing the procedure, benefits, and risks.
Risks & possible complications
- Short-term side effects specific to the treatment area (e.g., urinary frequency/burning for prostate, vaginal discharge for cervix).
- Fatigue is common during the treatment period.
- Risk of infection or bleeding at the implant site.
- Long-term risks can include tissue fibrosis, changes in bowel or bladder function, or sexual dysfunction.
- Rare risk of the radioactive source migrating from the intended site.
- For permanent seed implants, low-level radiation precautions may be needed temporarily for close contact with others.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate post-procedure monitoring in a recovery area.
- For temporary implants, the patient stays in a private hospital room until the radioactive sources are removed.
- Management of pain or discomfort with prescribed medications.
- Specific care instructions for the implant site to prevent infection.
- Follow-up appointments for imaging and to monitor treatment response and side effects.
- Gradual return to normal activities as tolerated, avoiding strenuous exercise initially.
- Adherence to any temporary radiation safety guidelines provided by the medical team.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-2 days (Often outpatient for permanent seeds; 1-2 days for temporary implants)
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Expected recovery time: 1-4 weeks for initial recovery; full effects and side effect resolution may take several months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering brachytherapy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with nuclear medicine departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform brachytherapy. MediFyr helps you compare nuclear medicines and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for brachytherapy compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 150 Thousand – 500 Thousand | 0-2 days (Often outpatient for permanent seeds; 1-2 days for temporary implants) | ~ 1-4 weeks for initial recovery; full effects and side effect resolution may take several months | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 525 Thousand – 1.75 Million | 0-2 days (Often outpatient for permanent seeds; 1-2 days for temporary implants) | ~ 1-4 weeks for initial recovery; full effects and side effect resolution may take several months | Know More |
Emma Saxena, a 58-year-old high school...
Emma Saxena, a 58-year-old high school biology teacher and avid gardener, noticed persistent pelvic pain and irregular bleeding. A biopsy confirmed early-stage endometrial cancer. Her oncologist, Dr. Chen, recommended brachytherapy as a targeted, organ-preserving treatment to deliver high-dose radiation directly to the tumor site, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues like her bladder and rectum. Emma underwent two outpatient high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy sessions. A slender applicator was placed in her uterus while she was under mild sedation. Each treatment lasted about 10-15 minutes, during which she felt no pain, only mild pressure. She experienced fatigue and mild cramping for a few days after each session. At her six-month follow-up, a PET scan showed no evidence of disease. Emotionally, Emma was terrified by the cancer diagnosis, fearing a hysterectomy would end an active chapter of her life. The precision of brachytherapy gave her hope. After treatment, she felt profound relief and gratitude, returning to her garden and classroom with a renewed sense of resilience and a commitment to living fully.
Nuclear Medicines for Brachytherapy
Explore experienced nuclear medicines who regularly perform brachytherapy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 11 Years Experience
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- 40 Years Experience
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Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 27 Years Experience
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- 26 Years Experience
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Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 25 Years Experience
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Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
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Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 28 Years Experience
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Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 13 Years Experience
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Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 14 Years Experience
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Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
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- 13 Years Experience
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Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Kolkata
- 6 Years Experience
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Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon