What is the difference between low-dose and high-dose brachytherapy?

The main difference is how long the radiation source stays in place at one time.

With low-dose rate (LDR) implants, the radiation source stays in place for 1 to 7 days. You are likely to be in the hospital during this time. When treatment is finished, your doctor removes the source and the catheter or applicator.

With high-dose rate (HDR) implants, the source is left in place for only 10 to 20 minutes at a time and then taken out. You may have treatment twice a day for 2 to 5 days, or once a week for 2 to 5 weeks, depending on your type of cancer. The catheter may stay in place between sessions or be placed before each one.

There is also a third type, permanent implants, where the source stays in the body for life and its radiation slowly weakens. Your doctor will recommend the type that best fits your cancer.