Brachytherapy

The High Dose Brachytherapy service commenced at the Launceston Holman Clinic in November 1996.Since inception the service has flourished with a wide range of sites treated.

Photo courtesy of Nucletron

The clinic currently uses the Nucletron microSelectron system. The design of this unit combines thin wire technology with the best available turning radius allowing a wider range of clinical applications. The computerised brachytherapy treatment planning system (Plato BPS) is state of the art allowing accurate 3D treatment modeling.

Three Dimensional visualisation of dose and source positions over the radiograph enable the clinician to more precisely optimise conformal dose distributions

This treatment has been successfully used in the following treatment sites; lung, oesophagus, bile duct, prostate, breast and gynecological areas. In addition to these sites a number of complex template guided or freehand volume implants and intra-operative work has been performed at the clinic to a variety of sites.

(photo courtesy of Varian Oncology Systems)

The change to HDR treatment techniques from low dose rate techniques has provided benefits to patients:

• short fractionated treatment times
• treatments leave to patient radiation free between treatments allowing unrestricted nursing care and visitor access
• most of the treatments can be provided on an outpatient basis allowing the patient to go home between treatment fractions.

Use in the Treatment of early Prostate Cancer

The clinic is a leader in Australia using High Dose Rate Brachytherapy for cancer of the prostate. This form of interstitial brachytherapy provides a means of intensifying the radiation dose delivered to the prostate. This after-loading technique has been investigated since the late 1980s.

More recently, it has become a popular method of treatment in the USA. It has provided excellent clinical results with reduced risks and complications. It is given by siting an array of 15-20 thin plastic needles under anaesthetic into the prostate gland via the perineal skin. Four treatments, lasting a few minutes each, are given over two days.

This technique is generally used in combination with moderate dose external beam radiation therapy to give a boost of radiation to the area of the prostate without affecting the surrounding normal tissues. High Dose Rate Brachytherapy treatment is recognised and supported by Medicare. Visit the Nucletron web site for additional information.