Which type of cancer is Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy primarily used to treat?

Low Dose Rate (LDR) Brachytherapy is primarily used for the treatment of prostate cancer due to its effectiveness in delivering localized radiation therapy directly to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This technique involves placing radioactive sources inside or near the tumor, providing a high dose of radiation directly to cancerous cells over a prolonged period.

Prostate cancer is particularly suitable for this type of therapy because the anatomy allows for precise placement of the radioactive sources, ensuring that the radiation targets the tumor effectively. Moreover, clinical studies have shown that LDR Brachytherapy can lead to favorable treatment outcomes for men with early-stage prostate cancer, including lower rates of side effects compared to more invasive treatment options.

While LDR Brachytherapy is also utilized for other types of cancers in certain cases, such as in some oral cavity cancers, it is not the primary application of this treatment modality. Breast and lung cancers are typically treated with other forms of radiation therapy or systemic treatments due to different tumor characteristics and the surrounding anatomical considerations.