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Brachytherapy
The most comprehensive brachytherapy program in Grand Rapids is found at The Lacks Cancer Center at Saint Mary’s Health Care. Used in the treatment of gynecologic cancers, prostate cancer and breast cancer, brachytherapy is a method of delivering radiation to tumors by placing radioactive sources, either within or right next to tumor tissue. These sources are basically tiny metallic cylinders half the size of a grain of rice, which contain radioactive material such as iodine. Because the radiation source contained within these cylinders is so close to the tumor, it goes directly to the cancerous tissue without traveling through normal, healthy tissue. Brachytherapy can be given using low dose rate or high dose rate techniques, depending on patient needs.Low Dose Rate (LDR) Brachytherapy. We use an LDR brachytherapy called seed implantation as a primary treatment for prostate cancer. The advantage of this procedure is that it is minimally invasive and can be done with only two visits to the hospital. Patients can go home within 24 hours, as opposed to the 2-3 day hospitalization required with more conventional invasive procedures. These seeds can remain implanted for a minimum of seven days, or permanently.
High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy. Used in treating a wide range of cancers, this process involves implanting an HDR source temporarily, for just a few minutes at a time, and then removing it from the tumor. The Lacks Cancer Center has the most technologically advanced HDR Brachytherapy program in the region thanks to our progressive tools:
- CT Scan/MRI Compatible Applicators. These applicators ensure that the sources are placed with pinpoint precision into cancerous tissue, without affecting healthy tissue. Thanks to CT scan/MRI compatibility we get accurate three-dimensional images of tissues, as opposed to the more conventional two-dimensional X-ray images.
- Remote Afterloaders. These computerized mobile units are custom programmed for each individual’s needs. The unit inserts the radioactive source into a fixed position and then removes it at the prescribed time. Because a technician no longer manually inserts the sources, the patient can experience a more effective treatment during a less invasive outpatient procedure, as opposed to a surgical procedure with a 2-3 day hospital stay.