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Why it's done

By Mayo Clinic staff

Brachytherapy is used to treat several types of cancer, including:

  • Bile duct cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Eye cancer
  • Head and neck cancers
  • Lung cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Rectal cancer
  • Skin cancer
  • Soft tissue cancers
  • Vaginal cancer

Brachytherapy can be used alone or in conjunction with other cancer treatments. For instance, brachytherapy is sometimes used after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that may remain. Brachytherapy can also be used along with external beam radiation.

References
  1. Brachytherapy. RadiologyInfo.org. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=brachy. Accessed May 17, 2011.
  2. Radiation therapy and you: Support for people with cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/radiation-therapy-and-you/allpages. Accessed May 17, 2011.
  3. Brachytherapy. RT Answers. http://www.rtanswers.org/treatmentinformation/treatmenttypes/brachytherapy.aspx. Accessed May 17, 2011.
MY00323 July 29, 2011

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