Brachytherapy is a type of cancer treatment that involves placing radioactive material directly inside or near a tumor. This method allows doctors to deliver a high dose of radiation to the cancer cells while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. It is commonly used for cancers of the prostate, breast, and cervix.
The procedure can be done in two main ways: permanent implants, which are small seeds that remain in the body, and temporary implants, which are placed for a short time and then removed. Brachytherapy is often chosen for its effectiveness and the reduced recovery time compared to traditional radiation therapy.