Brachytherapy News and Research

RSS

Brachytherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the use of radioactive seeds the size of rice grains. Brachytherapy, an out-patient procedure, usually takes 45 minutes to an hour to perform. Most patients can return to their normal activities within days. The success rates of prostate brachytherapy have compared favorably with success rates of radical prostatectomy and external beam radiation. In comparison studies, prostate brachytherapy has shown to have a favorable side effect profile when compared with other modalities. Clinical studies have shown that prostate brachytherapy has a cure rate of 94% for appropriately selected patients.

New injectable microgel system delivers precise radiation to keloids

Researchers in Korea are developing a new approach to localized brachytherapy that could improve the treatment of keloid scars.

27 Aug 2026

Researchers find potential pathway to improve glioblastoma treatment

New research published in Neuro-Oncology gives a glimpse at promising discoveries that could help shape the future of glioblastoma treatment and patient outcomes.

29 Jul 2026

Implanted collagen tiles double survival for brain metastasis patients

A multicenter clinical trial led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has found that implanting collagen tiles during brain surgery to deliver targeted radiation therapy dramatically improved tumor control, lowered the risk of recurrence and improved overall survival compared to current standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed brain metastases in need of surgical resection.

30 May 2026

Clinical barriers prevent hormone therapy access after cervical cancer treatment

Most oncologists say they would prescribe hormone therapy to cervical cancer patients who experience early menopause from radiation treatment, but barriers are keeping many from doing so in practice, according to a new University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center study published in JAMA Network Open.

16 Apr 2026

Evaluating the role of stereotactic radiosurgery in craniopharyngioma management

Craniopharyngiomas account for 2–5% of all primary brain tumors and 5–10% of pediatric brain tumors. Despite their benign histology, their location near the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and optic pathways complicates management.

19 Nov 2025

COST Actions drive innovation in cancer research across Europe

Cancer is a major challenge in the modern world, affecting millions of people across Europe. The prevalence of this disease requires the development of innovative and complementary treatment approaches.

19 Sep 2025

Study introduces heart-sparing technique in lung cancer radiotherapy

A new study presented at ESTRO 2025 introduces the RAPID-RT study, which uses an innovative rapid-learning approach to evaluate the impact of treatment modifications in radiotherapy.

5 May 2025

Short-course, higher dose vaginal brachytherapy for endometrial cancer shown to be effective

In a randomized clinical trial, researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) have found that short-course, higher dose vaginal brachytherapy for endometrial cancer had similar effectiveness to more frequent, lower dose sessions.

11 Feb 2025

Short course chemotherapy boosts survival rates in cervical cancer patients

Cervical cancer patients were significantly more likely to be alive and cancer-free after five years when given a short course of chemotherapy prior to chemoradiation, finds a clinical trial led by researchers from UCL and UCLH.

15 Oct 2024

Long-term prostate cancer treatment study informs decisions for diverse groups

A 10-year follow up study of nearly 2,500 U.S. men who received prostate cancer treatment will help inform decision making in terms of treatments and side effects for a diverse population.

23 Jan 2024

New course of treatment with existing drugs for cervical cancer reduces risk of death by 35%

A course of treatment with existing drugs prior to chemoradiation led to a 35% reduction in the risk of death or return of cancer, in trial results presented by researchers from UCL and UCLH.

25 Oct 2023

Short course of induction chemotherapy can reduce cervical cancer relapse and death by 35%

The INTERLACE phase III trial, funded by Cancer Research UK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre, assessed whether a short course of induction chemotherapy (IC) prior to chemoradiation (CRT) could reduce the rate of relapse and death among patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

22 Oct 2023

Elekta and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) partner to improve access to cancer care in underserved countries

Dr. Laurent Leksell, Elekta’s Founder and Chairman of the Board, and IAEA’s Director General, Dr. Rafael Mariano Grossi meet in Stockholm to discuss reducing the global cancer burden

From Elekta 8 Sep 2023

No improvement in freedom from progression rates for patients: Study

Results from the NRG Oncology NRG-RTOG 0232 clinical trial adding external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to brachytherapy (BT) in men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer indicate that there was no improvement in freedom from progression (FFP) rates for patients.

16 Jun 2023

New method combines injectable radioactive gel with systemic chemotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer - in the U.S., it is estimated that over 88 percent of people will die from the disease within five years of their diagnosis.

20 Dec 2022

New ASTRO guideline provides recommendations on the use of radiation therapy for endometrial cancer

A newly updated clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology provides recommendations on the use of radiation therapy and systemic therapy after surgery to treat patients with endometrial cancer.

7 Dec 2022

Sexual side effects of cancer treatment discussed less frequently with female patients

A new study finds that sexual side effects of cancer treatment are discussed far less frequently with female patients than with male patients, even when the treatment directly affects sex organs.

24 Oct 2022

Duke biomedical engineers develop a two-pronged approach to treating pancreatic cancer

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have demonstrated the most effective treatment for pancreatic cancer ever recorded in mouse models.

21 Oct 2022

Research pits the simulation of beta radiation in cancer treatment against analytical method

A new paper published in EPJ Plus and authored by Eduardo De Paiva, from the Division of Medical Physics at the Institute of Radiation Protection and Dosimetry, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, pits the gold standard simulation method used to calculate the interaction of the ionizing radiation with matter and estimate the radiation dose delivered to a target organ—Monte Carlo (MC) simulation — against an alternative analytic method, the Loevinger formula.

20 Sep 2022

New radiation therapy option may extend lifespan, improve quality of life for certain brain cancer patients

UC San Diego Health is the first hospital system in San Diego to offer a new, highly targeted and precisely placed radiation therapy that delays tumor regrowth while protecting healthy tissue in patients with brain cancer.

19 Sep 2022