title: Dose rate in brachytherapy using after-loading machine: pulsed or high-dose rate?
abstract: Since February 2014, it is no longer possible to use low-dose rate 192 iridium wires due to the end of industrial production of IRF1 and IRF2 sources. The Brachytherapy Group of the French society of radiation oncology (GC-SFRO) has recommended switching from iridium wires to after-loading machines. Two types of after-loading machines are currently available, based on the dose rate used: pulsed-dose rate or high-dose rate. In this article, we propose a comparative analysis between pulsed-dose rate and high-dose rate brachytherapy, based on biological, technological, organizational and financial considerations.
authors.affiliation: Département de radiothérapie oncologie, centre Antoine-Lacassagne, université Nice-Sophia, 33, avenue de Valombrose, 06000 Nice, France. Electronic address: jean-michel.hannoun-levi@nice.unicancer.fr.
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hannoun-Lévi
authors.affiliation: Département de radiothérapie oncologie, institut de cancérologie de Lorraine Alexis-Vautrin, 6, avenue de Bourgogne, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peiffert
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005160:Facility Design and Construction / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010356:Patient Isolation / Q000191:economics; D010362:Patients' Rooms / Q000191:economics; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000458:organization & administration; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000191:economics; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes
keywords: After-loading machine; Brachytherapy; Curiethérapie; Débit de dose pulsé; Haut débit de dose; High-dose rate; Projecteur de source; Pulsed-dose rate