Endobronchial radiation therapy is a type of brachytherapy that provides localized radiation to the larger airway, including trachea and bronchi. Radiation is delivered through a small catheter placed into the airways during bronchoscopy. This therapy is coordinated with radiation oncology and usually requires three separate procedures.
Why is it used?
- Helps destroy airway cancers that are causing airway narrowing, bleeding, or recurrent infections
- Removes abnormal granulation tissue
What Makes Endobronchial Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy) Different?
- Unlike conventional radiation which is delivered from outside the body, aimed at an inward target, brachytherapy is truly localized radiation delivered to just the airways
- Three separate procedures are required to provide HDR (high dose radiation)
Benefits of Brachytherapy
- May reduce some unwanted side-effects of conventional radiation
- Localized radiation minimizes energy delivered to healthy tissue that is not intended to be treated