title: Role of interstitial brachytherapy in the treatment of malignant disease.
abstract: Interstitial brachytherapy was first applied using radium needles, with minimum protection of physicians and nurses. Modern techniques involve the use of radionuclide (192)Ir as the source used in computer-controlled remote afterloading machines, which can deliver a high dose rate (HDR). Treatment planning is also undertaken with the use of computers and anatomical cross-section images using CT, ultrasound and MRI. This review presents these modern techniques for tumors of a series of body sites: prostate, head and neck, breast, bladder, brain, and for soft-tissue sarcomas. Low dose rate (LDR) interstitial brachytherapy techniques are also included in this review since in some body sites there is a choice between HDR and LDR.
authors.affiliation: Strahlenklinik, Klinikum Offenbach, Starkenburgring 66, D-63069 Offenbach, Germany. ckolotas@aol.com
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kolotas
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zamboglou
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D015996:Survival Rate