Sarcoma treatment with brachytherapy

Brachytherapy of sarcoma makes it possible to bring a hefty dose of radiation locally to the tumor. It's a type of internal (local) radiotherapy. The treatment is usually indicated as a part of a combined therapy approach (after the surgery). Brachytherapy of sarcomas is particularly important in the youngest patients, as it reduces the radiation load on the growth zones. Before starting treatment, a thorough diagnosis is required to assess the current condition and sarcoma progression. Then, brachytherapy planning takes place in a specialized computer program. The contouring of the radiation zone and healthy structures is determined based on CT or MRI imaging data. Combining images obtained during a PET scan is possible to decide on the irradiated volumes more accurately. After calculating the irradiation plan, grains with radioactive particles of cobalt, iodine, cesium, and palladium are implanted into the sarcoma tissue. The installation of the radioactive seeds is carried out under local anesthesia. The procedure is well-tolerated by the patients. Complete decay of radioactive material occurs after a few weeks or months without damage to healthy tissues. Therefore, brachytherapy can be an excellent alternative for sarcoma treatment to traditional radiation.