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Treatment by brachytherapy

Let's explore this subject together
 
Dr Alexandre Peltier
Urologist

Low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy is an internal radiotherapy method used principally to treat localised prostate cancers.  It consists of implanting small radioactive sources (generally iode-125) directly into the prostate. These “seeds” emit low dose radiation over a long period, making it possible to destroy the tumour while preserving the neighbouring tissue. 

An old method in the service of modernity

First appearing at the start of the 20th century, brachytherapy is one of the oldest forms of radiotherapy and was initially developed after Marie Currie discovered radium. The concept was explored from 1901 by Pierre Curie and Dr Henri-Alexandre Danlos to treat skin cancers. The French term for brachytherapy is “curiethérapie”, in homage to Curie whose work made it possible to establish this therapeutic approach.