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Sequences of Brachytherapy Treatments:

Internal radiation is also called, “Brachytherapy” (Brachy- means ‘Close’ in Latin). For internal radiation, a radiation source is placed next to, in close proximity or inside the tumor tissue or pathological area. 

Medical linear accelerators are the key equipment used for delivering radiotherapy treatments. The accelerator consists of four major components: an electronics cabinet called a “stand,” housing a microwave energy generating source; a rotating gantry containing the accelerator structure that rotates around the patient; an adjustable treatment couch; and operating electronics.  Accelerators are located within specially constructed concrete treatment rooms to provide X-ray shielding.

Image – Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT):

IGRT refers to the use of sophisticated imaging technologies to guide the delivery of precise forms of radiation therapy.   Tumors can move during treatment and between treatments. Dynamic Targeting IGRT offers clinicians advanced imaging techniques to verify patient position and tumor position at the time of treatment which help clinicians to reduce the volume of tissue irradiated, targeting only the tumor and sparing the surrounding normal tissue. When patients are positioned on a treatment couch, an X-ray system mounted on a robotic arm is rotated around the body, to gather images that pinpoint a tumor’s exact location.  These images are then compared with existing images (MRI, CT or other kinds of scans) in order to determine if the tumor has moved since the last treatment.

For more details contact:

Department of Radiation Oncology

Holy Spirit Hospital & Cancer Centre

Mahakali Caves Road, Andheri – East

Mumbai – 400093, India

+91-22-2824 8500 – 04; Ext: 600

Fax: +91-22-2822 1430