Whether or not you or someone you love is fighting cancer, you’ve probably heard that radiation therapy is one of the most effective weapons doctors have in combating the disease. What you might not know is that there are many different types of radiation therapy in use today, and you may have more options than you realized when formulating a treatment strategy (unsure of your treatment strategy?) with your doctor. Today, we’ll explore electronic brachytherapy: a type of targeted radiation therapy sometimes known by the proprietary name of Xoft (pronounced “Zoft”).
WHAT IS BRACHYTHERAPY?
Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy in which a tiny short-range radiation source is placed inside or near the body in close proximity to cancerous cells. By administering a dose of radiation directly into or near the malignant tissue, doctors hope to target cancers with greater precision while reducing collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs. Brachytherapy may be used to treat a variety of cancers, including breast, prostate, cervical, endometrial, and some skin cancers (UpToDate).
The exact placement and delivery method of the radiation source will be determined by your doctor according to the type of cancer you have and where it is in your body. Brachytherapy sources come in several different types and sizes, which allow doctors to tailor the procedure to each patient’s needs. Some sources look like tiny seeds, which may be placed near the cancer with an applicator. This applicator might look like a metal wand, a surgical balloon, or a thin, ribbon-like catheter (National Cancer Institute).
Brachytherapy may be administered on either an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on the type of radioactive source and method of delivery chosen by your doctor. Traditional brachytherapy implants utilize a radioactive substance as their source of ionizing radiation (such as iridium-192 or iodine-125) (UpToDate). Newer methods (like the Xoft system) utilize a tiny electronically-powered x-ray source, which we will explore further below (Xoft).
Your doctor may choose to treat you with a low dose of radiation (or “LDR,” in which the the radiation source may remain in place over the course of several days), or with a high dose of radiation (“HDR,” in which the source is applied for several minutes at a time and is removed between treatment sessions). In some cases, your doctor may choose permanent brachytherapy implants; these implants deliver a low dose of radiation to a malignant area that diminishes gradually over time. As their name suggests, permanent implants remain in place in the body even after the radiation in the source wears off (National Cancer Institute).
In the case of some cancers (like certain early-stage breast cancers), your doctor may choose to administer one high dose of radiation directly to an affected area during surgery; this is called intraoperative radiation therapy (or, IORT) (UpToDate). For example, your surgeon may employ brachytherapy during a lumpectomy. After the tumor is removed, the radiation source is placed in a surgical balloon and inserted directly into the surgical cavity for several minutes. By reducing hospital visits and shortening treatment times, this streamlined, two-in-one approach has an obvious appeal for many patients (Xoft eBx Connect).
Your doctor may recommend brachytherapy alone, or in conjunction with other types of radiation (like external beam radiation therapy) and pharmaceutical or hormonal therapies. Do you need help deciding if this treatment works for you?
XOFT AND ELECTRONIC BRACHYTHERAPY
Brachytherapy has been in use for some time now, but new developments in technology are making the technique safer, less invasive, and more accessible than ever for doctors and their patients. Companies like Xoft and Elekta have begun offering a newer method of brachytherapy called electronic brachytherapy, which utilizes a minuscule X-ray source rather than a device containing radioactive isotopes (Esteya).
Why is this X-ray technology an improvement? Unlike brachytherapy sources which utilize radioactive substances, an X-ray tube only produces ionizing radiation when your doctor switches it on. This means it’s easier for your doctors to take the necessary precautions in order to use the technology safely, and it’s easier than ever for medical facilities to incorporate brachytherapy systems into their clinical infrastructure. In addition, it’s no longer necessary for patients to be placed in isolation in a shielded area while undergoing treatment with an electronic brachytherapy system like Xoft; medical staff may now remain in the room with you during treatment, providing a more comfortable and personable experience for doctors and patients alike (Xoft).
Xoft, Esteya, and other electronic brachytherapy systems are able to deliver a dose of radiation similar to traditional high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy with radioisotopes. That means each treatment session packs a bigger punch, so to speak, which translates into shorter treatment times for patients (Esteya).
Electronic brachytherapy is FDA-approved for use both inside the body (for instance, as a method of IORT during a lumpectomy) and outside the body (to treat skin cancers) (Xoft). When employed externally, electronic brachytherapy is gentle, non-invasive, and may be administered in an outpatient setting. As the technique eliminates the need for sutures or reconstructive surgery after the cancer is removed, electronic surface brachytherapy is a particularly appealing option in treating cancers in visible areas like the nose, eyelid, or other parts of the face (Esteya).
IN CONCLUSION
Electronic brachytherapy provides an array of effective, accessible options for treating many types of cancer. As with any treatment, it’s important to choose a clinic that is familiar with brachytherapy, with experienced technicians who perform a high volume of cases. (UpToDate). If you find your doctor lacks experience with brachytherapy, or if you wish to know more about you may wish to get a second opinion or a referral to a clinic that specializes in this method of treatment.
Oncologic Advisors offers expert cancer second opinions and navigational services. Our group of dedicated, board-certified oncologists find the best treatment options for patients, while connecting them to top cancer centers and clinical trials in the United States.
REFERENCES
UpToDate – Radiation therapy techniques in cancer treatment. Timur Mitin, MD, PhD. Topic last updated April 26, 2017.
National Cancer Institute – What To Know About Brachytherapy (A Type of Internal Radiation Therapy). Revised Feburary 2012.
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/brachytherapy.pdf
Xoft – What is Electronic Brachytherapy?
http://www.xoftinc.com/electronic-brachytherapy.html
Xoft eBx Connect – eBx for Early Stage Breast Cancer.
http://www.xoftinc.com/patients/patients_breast.html
Esteya – Electronic Brachytherapy Information for Healthcare Professionals.
http://www.esteya.com/healthcare-professionals.php
