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.
Want the full picture? Read our complete explanation: Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy)
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