5High-Dose versus Low-Dose Rate Brachytherapy
In low-dose-rate brachytherapy, the implant releases low dosages of radiation over a long period of time. Implants may be left and removed after several days. You will need to stay in the hospital during this procedure. For bigger implants, you should stay in a bed and stay still to ensure these items do not move. Smaller implants, such as pellets or seeds, may be left there forever. They will stop releasing radiation after a few weeks. In these cases, you would go home the same day.
For high-dose-rate brachytherapy, you can be treated with a powerful source of radiation in the applicator for a few minutes at once. This source will be removed after around 20 minutes. The entire process can be done two times per day in several days or one time per day in several weeks. Your doctor may remove the applicator or keep it in place. In the latter case, you may have to stay in the hospital for a few days. Consult your doctor to decide which option is better for you. [8]
