What internal radiotherapy is
This page tells you about internal radiotherapy, which uses radioactive metals or liquids (isotopes) to directly treat cancer. There is information about the two main types of internal radiotherapy
Internal radiotherapy implants are radioactive metal wires, seeds or tubes put in or close to a tumour. This is called brachytherapy. The radioactive metal is called a 'source' and is left inside the body for a period of time. In many types of cancer the source is removed after a few minutes or a few days.
In some types of cancer, small metal implants, or 'seeds', are left in the body permanently. These implants are made of made of radioactive gold or contain radioactive iodine. The amount of radiation they give out is tiny, and can't be detected outside the body.
Radioactive liquids to treat cancer are given either as a drink or by injection. Examples include
- Radioactive phosphorus - used for blood disorders
- Radioactive strontium - used for secondary bone cancers
- Radioactive iodine - used for benign thyroid conditions and thyroid cancer
The radioactive part of the liquid is called an isotope. It may be attached to another substance, which is designed to get the isotope into the tumour.
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