title: [Developments in brachytherapy].
abstract: Brachytherapy is one of the ideal methods of radiotherapy because of the concentration of a high dose on the target. Recent developments, including induction of afterloading method, utilization of small-sized high-activity sources such as Iridium-192, and induction of high technology and computerization, have made for shortening of irradiation time and source handling, which has led to easier management of the patient during treatment. Dose distribution at high dose rate (HDR) is at least as good as that of low dose rate (LDR), and selection of fractionation and treatment time assures even greater biological effects on hypoxic tumor cells than LDR. Experience with HDR brachytherapy in uterine cervix cancer using Cobalt-60 during the past 20 years in this country has gradually been evaluated in U.S. and Europe. The indications for HDR treatment have extended to esophagus, bronchus, bile duct, brain, intraoperative placement of source guide, and perineal region using templates, as well as the conventional use for uterus, tongue and so on.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ikeda
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy