What is Episcleral brachytherapy?

Episcleral eye plaque therapy is intended as an eye-conserving procedure in which a small metallic “plaque” containing sealed radioactive sources is temporarily placed on the eye adjacent to the tumor.

How often do you get brachytherapy?

You may have treatment twice a day for 2 to 5 days or once a week for 2 to 5 weeks. The schedule depends on your type of cancer. During the course of treatment, your catheter or applicator may stay in place, or it may be put in place before each treatment.

How is brachytherapy administered?

Brachytherapy is a cancer treatment in which radioactive material sealed inside a seed, pellet, wire, or capsule is implanted in the body using a needle or catheter. The radiation given off by this source damages the DNA of nearby cancer cells. Brachytherapy is most commonly used to treat prostate cancer.

How many sessions of brachytherapy are there?

You may undergo one or two sessions a day over a number of days or weeks. You’ll lie in a comfortable position during high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Your radiation therapy team will position the radiation device. This may be a simple tube or tubes placed inside a body cavity or small needles inserted into the tumor.

What is eye plaque?

An eye plaque is a device that contains small seeds that are radioactive called Iodine 125. The radioactive Iodine 125 is contained in a metal casing. These seeds deliver very low levels of radiation that is considered safe to be out in public.

How will I feel after brachytherapy?

Brachytherapy can make you feel very tired and physically weak. This is called fatigue. It is not like usual tiredness – you may feel exhausted after doing nothing. This is simply your body responding to the treatment, as it tries to repair any healthy cells the brachytherapy has damaged.

Is brachytherapy better than surgery?

The authors conclude that surgery and brachytherapy with EBRT showed comparable overall survival. Both modalities were superior to EBRT alone. Furthermore, brachytherapy with EBRT showed superior overall survival compared with surgery or EBRT alone.

What happens after brachytherapy plaque?

Most people eventually lose vision in the area of their eye where the plaque was placed. The amount of vision loss depends on where the plaque was placed. You may notice vision loss 12 to 18 months after your treatment. You can talk with your doctor about the possibility of vision loss in your eye.

Is eye radiation painful?

Admission to the Hospital Your doctor may order blood tests, an EKG, x-rays or imaging scans. The placement procedure takes a short time. The radiation is painless, but sometimes movement of the eye or stitches can cause discomfort. Medication is available if you experience pain.

What is the advantage of brachytherapy?

Is very effective in treating cancer as the radiation is delivered with a high level of accuracy. Has a minimized risk of side effects, due to the targeted and precise nature of delivering the radiotherapy from inside the body. Is a minimally invasive technique – i.e. it doesn’t involve extensive surgery.

Is plaque therapy painful?

The implantation and removal of the radioactive plaque is generally performed under local anesthesia with sedation by specialists from Cole Eye Institute. This requires one or more injections around the eye to numb it. There is likely to be a moderate amount of pain on the day of surgery after the anesthesia wears off.

What kind of plaque is used for brachytherapy?

Episcleral Eye Plaque Brachytherapy. Episcleral eye plaque therapy is intended as an eye-conserving procedure in which a small metallic “plaque” containing sealed radioactive sources is temporarily placed on the eye adjacent to the tumor.

What do you need to know about brachytherapy for cancer?

You will have a 1- to 2-hour meeting with your doctor or nurse to plan your treatment before you begin brachytherapy. At this time, you will have a physical exam, talk about your medical history, and maybe have imaging tests.

How does episcleral plaque therapy work in the eye?

Is it safe to have radiation after brachytherapy?

There is no radiation in your body after the catheter or applicator is removed. It is safe for people to be near you-even young children and pregnant women. For a week or two, you may need to limit activities that take a lot of effort.

What is Episcleral brachytherapy? Episcleral eye plaque therapy is intended as an eye-conserving procedure in which a small metallic “plaque” containing sealed radioactive sources is temporarily placed on the eye adjacent to the tumor. How often do you get brachytherapy? You may have treatment twice a day for 2 to 5 days or once a…