Download HDR Remote Afterloader

 HDR Remote Afterloader
The high-dose rate (HDR) Remote Afterloader delivers
radiation “from the inside out. ”This treatment is a
temporary form of brachytherapy which works by
placing a source of radiation directly in, or next to, the
cancerous tumor inside the body for only a few
minutes.
The procedure is usually repeated once per week for
up to five weeks. The treatment is often performed on
an outpatient basis, meaning an overnight stay in the
hospital is usually not needed.
In HDR brachytherapy, accurate placement and
complete control are of utmost importance. The HDR
Afterloader's computer-based management system
allows for proper placement, replacement and dose
control throughout the process.
The radiation therapy team at the W. Temple Webber
Cancer Center provides HDR brachytherapy by creating a
customized treatment plan to determine the precise
placement and dose of radiation to be delivered to the
tumor. This ensures the tumor receives the most effective
dose to kill the cancer cells while also reducing the risk of
any unnecessary damage to healthy tissue and organs,
therefore reducing potential side effects.
The remote afterloader houses a pellet-sized Iridium-192
source attached to the end of a cable. The source cable is
remotely sent out of the afterloader and stops at specific
positions inside an applicator for an exact time at each
spot. At the end of treatment, the source cable is removed
from the applicator and retracted back into the afterloader.