High dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT)

Accuracy of dwell-position detection with a combined electromagnetic tracking brachytherapy system for treatment verification in pelvic brachytherapy: High dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) is commonly used to treat prostate and cervical cancer by irradiating the target volume using dedicated applicators and/or catheters. BT offers sharp dose gradients which may lead to decreased dose to organs at risk compared to external beam radiotherapy.[1,2] Image-guided implant reconstruction has become standard practice, using medical imaging such as CT, MR or ultrasound acquired before treatment planning.[3,4] After reconstructing the applicator and/or interstitial catheters, a treatment plan is created using the target and organ at risk delineations by optimizing dwell times in order to achieve a high target coverage and maximal organ at risk sparing.