Spinal tumor treatment with brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a targeted treatment for spinal tumors that uses tiny radioactive seeds to deliver radiation directly to cancer cells. It's useful for primary and secondary spinal tumors. Before brachytherapy, patients have evaluations, including medical history review, physical examination, and consultations with specialists. Lab tests help check the overall health, and other tests, including MRI scans of the spine, help plan the treatment accurately. During the procedure, the patient is under general anesthesia to ensure comfort. Then, radioactive seeds are implanted through surgery. The radiation targets the tumor while saving nearby tissues. Treatments are typically given in one session. Symptomatic therapy helps manage discomfort. Brachytherapy can be used as an only method or with surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. It can be given before the operation to shrink the tumor or to destroy the remaining cancer cells after the surgery. It offers precise tumor targeting, fewer side effects, and relief from pain and symptoms. However, it can cause mild side effects that usually resolve within a few weeks. Radioactive seeds are an effective treatment for spinal tumors that offers targeted radiation, reducing damage to healthy tissue. Despite that, it's rarely indicated brachytherapy can help manage spinal tumors and improve patients' conditions.