Page 30 - Brachytherapy

b. Remote after-loading system

Generally, the radiation sources are manually The use of remote after-loading devices offers

afterloaded into applicators or catheters that have several practical advantages over manual

been placed within the target volume. At the end of procedures, such as:

the treatment the sources are removed, again — Increased patient treatment capacity;

manually. These procedures result in some radiation — Consistent and reproducible treatment

exposure to the medical and support staff. Several delivery;

computers driven remote after-loading systems have — Reduced radiation exposure of staff.

been developed to help minimize this radiation

exposure. Computer-controlled device is used to — Decreased treatment time.

load the sources automatically, thus eliminating

manual handling of radioactive sources altogether. While the disadvantage:

Each applicator is fixed in the patient and check X- —costly

ray carried out to localize dummy source. 26