Delhi: There is constant progress in the treatment of cancer, and new techniques are being developed. One of these is brachytherapy, which is proving to be a boon for cancer patients. This is a state-of-the-art treatment method. In which cancer cells are destroyed using radiation.
Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy in which radioactive sources are placed directly on the cancerous area. In this method, the radioactive source is placed near or inside the cancer, so that cancer cells can be attacked more effectively.
According to Dr. Shubham Jain, a surgical oncologist working at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research, Delhi, “In brachytherapy, radioactive sources are placed very close to the tumor, which helps in destroying the tumor directly with high doses of radiation. This method is very beneficial for those cancer patients whose tumors are difficult to remove through surgery.
What is the treatment process?
The process of brachytherapy takes place in several stages. The patient is initially examined and the condition of the cancer is evaluated. The radiation oncologist decides on brachytherapy based on the patient’s health condition.
1.Selection of radioactive source: The radioactive source is carefully chosen and dosed. The radioactive source is precisely placed at the cancer site. It can be placed on the skin or near the tumor inside the body.
2.Conduction of Radiation: Radiation is released on cancer cells from a radioactive source. This procedure can be done from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the condition of the tumor.
3. Follow-up: After the treatment, the patient is followed up regularly to evaluate the effect of the treatment.
What are the benefits of brachytherapy?
Brachytherapy has several advantages: Radiation is focused only on cancer cells, which has less effect on healthy cells. This method has less chance of side effects, as the radiation is only on the affected area. This method is quick and effective, giving relief to the patient soon.
What is the expense process?
Dr. Shubham Jain explains, “The cost of brachytherapy depends on various factors, such as the type of tumor, the choice of radioactive source and the facilities of the hospital. Generally, the cost of this treatment can be around Rs 1 lakh 50 thousand to 2 or 2 lakh 50 thousand.
Tags: Delhi news, Health, Local18
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 5, 2024, 09:41 IST
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