Brachytherapy

What is Brachytherapy?
Brachytherapy is an important part of treating various types of cancers, particularly gynecologic ones. Brachytherapy is a radiation treatment that involves temporarily placing radioactive material inside the body, in or near a tumor, for a specific amount of time. The therapy delivers higher doses of radiation while minimizing radiation exposure to nearby tissues. Brachytherapy may be delivered alone or in conjunction with external beam radiation. We offer patients multiple types of brachytherapy radiation treatments.



High-dose (HDR) Brachytherapy involves temporarily placing radioactive material inside the body, in or near a tumor, for a specific amount of time. The therapy delivers higher doses of radiation while minimizing the radiation exposure to nearby tissues. Most patients undergoing brachytherapy receive 3-5 treatments lasting 15-30 minutes each. HDR brachytherapy sends radiation sources through a tube and into an applicator in the body by a computer-controlled machine. The radioactive source stays inside the applicator and never comes in contact with your body tissues. Therefore, only the source inside the applicator is radioactive.

Which patients require brachytherapy?
Brachytherapy can be used for many different types of cancers. We will currently offer brachytherapy for gynecologic malignancies such as cervical and endometrial cancers.

Which NYCBS locations offer brachytherapy?
Queens (Forest Hills) - 92-37 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375
646-582-2101

Brooklyn (The Brooklyn Cancer Center)- 86 Fleet Place, Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-732-4080

Bronx (Eastchester Cancer Center)- 2330 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10469
718-732-4000

Setauket- 181 North Belle Mead Road, East Setauket, NY 11733
631-751-3000