Brachytherapy

Istanbul

Brachytherapy in Istanbul is available at 1 hospital in the Voumed network.

Brachytherapy is a form of internal radiotherapy in which a radiation source is placed inside the body, right at or next to the tumour, rather than aimed from outside. Because the source sits so close to the target, it can deliver a high, very localised dose while the radiation falls off sharply over a short distance, sparing the healthy tissue around it. Modern systems automate this safely: thin tubes are guided to the tumour, the source travels through them along a precise plan, and it is withdrawn at the end, leaving no radiation behind in the body.

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At a glance

Type: internal radiotherapy (radiation delivered from inside the body)
Used for: gynaecological cancers of the cervix and uterus, prostate cancer, and some skin and other tumours
Key benefit: a high, tightly focused dose at the tumour with strong sparing of nearby tissue
Session: often outpatient; a single high-dose-rate treatment usually lasts about a few minutes of active radiation
Where it is used: leading accredited cancer centres abroad

What it is

Brachytherapy treats cancer with a radiation source positioned within or immediately beside the tumour, so the dose is delivered from the inside out. In the most common modern form, high-dose-rate brachytherapy, a tiny radioactive source on the end of a wire is moved by a computer-controlled machine through thin applicators or catheters that have been placed at the tumour. The source pauses at planned points for set times, shaping the dose, and is then drawn back into the shielded machine. Nothing radioactive remains in the body afterward. In some prostate treatments, small permanent seeds may instead be implanted and left in place, where they lose their radioactivity over time.

How it works

First, applicators or thin catheters are positioned at the tumour, with their exact placement checked using CT, MRI or ultrasound imaging, often under sedation or anaesthesia for comfort. The team then builds a precise plan from these images, deciding exactly where the source should pause and for how long. During treatment, the afterloader machine sends the source along the catheters according to the plan and retrieves it when the dose is complete. Because the source acts only over a very short range, the tumour receives a high dose while surrounding organs receive far less. Treatment may be a single session or a small number of sessions, depending on the cancer.

What it treats and who it helps

Brachytherapy is widely used for gynaecological cancers, particularly of the cervix and the lining of the uterus, where applicators can be placed close to the tumour, and for localised prostate cancer. It also has a role in selected cancers of the skin, breast, oesophagus and other sites where a source can be brought near the target. It may be used on its own or combined with external radiotherapy, surgery or drug treatment. Whether it suits a particular case depends on the type, size and location of the cancer, and a radiation oncologist makes that decision after reviewing the diagnosis and imaging.

Benefits and what to expect

The main advantage is precision: placing the source at the tumour delivers a high dose exactly where it is needed while the dose drops off quickly, so nearby healthy organs are well protected and side effects are often limited. Treatment courses tend to be short, and high-dose-rate sessions are frequently done on an outpatient basis. Because applicators are placed inside the body, sedation or anaesthesia is commonly used for comfort, and there may be some soreness afterward. Your team explains each step, manages any discomfort and gives you a tailored recovery and follow-up plan.

Frequently asked questions

These answers are general guidance and may vary by provider. Confirm the details with the hospital you choose.

Will I be radioactive after treatment?

With the most common high-dose-rate brachytherapy, no. The source is removed at the end of each session and nothing radioactive stays in your body. With permanent seed implants, low-level radiation remains for a time, and your team gives simple precautions to follow.

Is the procedure painful?

Placing the applicators can cause some discomfort, so sedation or anaesthesia is often used so you do not feel it. The radiation delivery itself is not painful, and any soreness afterward is usually mild and well managed.

How long does treatment take?

The radiation part of a high-dose-rate session is short, often only a few minutes once everything is in position. Preparing and placing the applicators and planning the dose take additional time, so plan for a longer overall visit.

How is it different from external radiotherapy?

External radiotherapy aims beams at the tumour from outside the body, while brachytherapy places the source inside, right at the tumour. This allows a very high, localised dose with rapid fall-off, which can mean fewer sessions and strong protection of nearby tissue.

Can I go home the same day?

Often, yes, especially with high-dose-rate outpatient treatment. Some situations require a short stay, and your team tells you in advance what to expect for your specific plan.

Is brachytherapy right for my cancer?

It depends on the type, size and location of the tumour and whether a source can be placed close to it. A radiation oncologist reviews your case and imaging to decide whether brachytherapy, alone or combined with other treatments, is the best option.