Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy: targeted internal radiation therapy for cancer
Brachytherapy places a radiotherapy source directly in contact with the tumor, for targeted and short-duration treatment.
Updated on November 6, 2026
The essentials at a glance
From
€10,350
Anesthesia
Local or light general anesthesia depending on the…
Read moreDuration
Treatment sessions range from a few hours to a couple…
Read moreResults
Treatment response is assessed over the following…
Read moreRecovery
Most patients resume normal activity within days. Fit…
Read moreProcedure
For localized cancers, such as breast, prostate, or…
Read moreBrachytherapy: what it is and how it works
Unlike external radiotherapy, brachytherapy delivers the radiation dose as close as possible to the tumor, which better protects healthy tissues around it. An applicator or small implants are placed under anesthesia, then the radioactive source delivers the treatment for a precise duration before being removed. The hospital stay is generally short, from a few hours to a few days depending on the type of cancer being treated.
This technique is often proposed as a complement to or instead of surgery, particularly for breast, prostate, or gynecological cancers.
Brachytherapy: who is it for?
For localized cancers, such as breast, prostate, or gynecological, where internal targeted radiation is an appropriate treatment option.
Brachytherapy: offers from our partner clinics
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How the treatment works, step by step
Anesthesia
Local or light general anesthesia depending on the site treated. May involve a short hospital stay of 1 to 2 nights.
Duration
Treatment sessions range from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the technique used.
What happens after treatment?
Most patients resume normal activity within days. Fit to fly is typically confirmed after 5 to 7 days.
How long do results last?
Treatment response is assessed over the following weeks to months through follow-up imaging.