[Why is brachytherapy still essential in 2017?]

Abstract

These recent years, brachytherapy has benefited from imaging modalities advances. A more systematic use of tomodensitometric, ultrasonographic and MRI images during brachytherapy procedures has allowed an improvement in target and organs at risk assessment as well as their relationship with the applicators. New concepts integrating tumor regression during treatment have been defined and have been clinically validated. New applicators have been developed and are commercially available. Optimization processes have been developed, integrating hypofractionation modalities leading to tumor control improvement. All these opportunities led to further development of brachytherapy, with indisputable ballistic advantages, especially compared to external irradiation.

Keywords: Brachytherapy; Curiethérapie; Curiethérapie guidée par l’image; Image-guided brachytherapy; Imagerie; Imaging; Technologie; Technology.