Most radiation therapy is delivered by linear accelerators capable of photon and electron irradiation. However, alternative modalities may have advantages in some clinical situations. Brachytherapy is radiation delivered by a radioactive source placed within or in close contact to the target, causing a rapid dose falloff with distance. Brachytherapy is classified as low dose rate (LDR) or high dose rate (HDR), and sealed or unsealed sources. Unsealed sources are free-floating radionuclides that can be injected into an anatomical space or administered systemically. Heavy charged particles include protons and heavy ions. These charged particles exhibit a high-dose Bragg peak, with little to no exit dose beyond the intended depth of treatment. Protons have an RBE approximating photons, however heavy ions have a much higher RBE. Neutron beam therapy has a very high RBE, allowing for a greater effect on radioresistant tumors but also greater normal tissue toxicity. Boron-containing drugs may react with neutrons to further increase radiation dose to tumor.
CITATION STYLE
Chang, D. S., Lasley, F. D., Das, I. J., Mendonca, M. S., & Dynlacht, J. R. (2014). Biology of Brachytherapy, Particle Therapy, and Alternative Radiation Modalities. In Basic Radiotherapy Physics and Biology (pp. 291–296). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06841-1_29
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