Nasopharyngeal cancer treatment with brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a specific type of radiation when radioactive microcapsules ("grains") are injected into the tumor or very close to it. Radiation destroys the DNA of cancer cells and prevents their division. The beams don't travel a long distance, so it focuses on the tumor in the nose or pharynx without causing much harm to nearby healthy tissues. As a result, the brain, spinal cord, and eyes do not receive high doses of radiation. Brachytherapy is not often used as the primary treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer. Sometimes internal and external radiation therapy is used together. However, local radiotherapy, so-called brachytherapy, might be used in the following cases:Recurrence after conventional radiationAn additional therapy dose at the end of the radiation courseThe treatment is performed by interventional radiology, radiation oncologist, or ENT specialists. Before the procedure, specialists use three-dimensional visualization methods to study the affected organ in detail using MRI or CT scans. The implantation of radioactive seeds is usually carried out under local anesthesia, but that might change depending on the tumor location. Next, radioactive capsules are placed in the affected tissues to cover the whole area. Upon completion, the grains remain inside.