Brachytherapy is also referred to as internal radiation.

Wake Radiology Oncology Services is one of the few centers in the area to have the state-of-the-art equipment needed to perform brachytherapy, in addition to an oncology staff with expertise in this medical specialty.

Liver Cancer - Many patients with liver cancer respond well to brachytherapy. With this treatment, radiation-containing microspheres are injected directly into tumors of the liver. They are implanted permanently, delivering the radiation treatment over a 14-day period. Brachytherapy selectively destroys cancerous cells, while preserving healthy liver cells.

Liver brachytherapy procedures are overseen by Dr. Andrew Kennedy, who is internationally-known for his push to re-establish microsphere therapy for liver cancer in the U.S.

Breast Cancer - Patients with small breast tumors which have not spread to the lymph nodes may benefit from MammoSite^® treatment. Here's how it works. After the patient undergoes a lumpectomy, a catheter is inserted into the cavity where the tumor was. Through this catheter, the patient receives daily radiation therapy treatments.

For each treatment, a radioactive seed is temporarily delivered through the catheter to the site of the tumor. This internal radiation treats only the area of the breast where recurrence is most likely, leaving healthy breast tissue alone.

The course of treatment usually includes two treatments given daily for five days. When treatment is complete, the catheter is removed.

This information is provided by Wake Radiology Oncology's Doctors, Nurses, and Technologists.  It was added to this site on November 12, 2003 and last updated on October 12, 2005.