ABSTRACT
Elekta brachytherapy solutions have historically been the driver for innovation in brachytherapy. Since the discovery of radium in 1898, radiation therapy has been applied to treat various cancers. Brachytherapy was the first modality of radiation therapy to perform such treatments by placing applicators pre-loaded with radium in contact with the skin to treat skin tumors and later by inserting pre-loaded needles and applicators in cavities in the body to treat, such as, gynecological cancers. Brachytherapy has numerous advantages over other radiation therapy modalities. Because irradiation takes place from within the body with a small radioactive source, a very high dose can be delivered to target structures. Due to the high gradient in dose fall-off, healthy tissue close to the target structure can be optimally spared. These benefits enable organ sparing treatments that in many cases reduce the need for hysterectomy, prostatectomy, cystectomy, etc. and have a high and positive impact on the quality of life of patients after treatment.
