Brachytherapy places radioactive sources inside the patient on a temporary or permanent basis to damage cancer cells’ DNA and destroy their ability to divide and grow. It allows your doctor to use a higher total dose of radiation to treat a smaller area in less time than conventional external beam radiation therapy. Brachytherapy is used to treat cancers throughout the body.

Your doctor will give you specific instructions based on your treatment. You may undergo a pre-treatment ultrasound, MRI, CT, blood test, electrocardiogram (EKG) or chest x-ray and your doctor may use a computer program to plan your therapy before it begins.