ABSTRACT
The treatment of cancers by placement of radioactive materials within or adjacent to a tumor is clinically known as brachytherapy. Although the intracavitary treatment of gynecologic cancers using 137Cs has been in widespread use for nearly a century, interstitial techniques using 192Ir have developed within the last decade. Both procedures are performed as temporary implants and typically require a hospital stay of approximately 48 h. Significant differences in source strengths, loading conditions, and patient care requirements are visible between the intracavitary and interstitial techniques. Facilities that are experienced in the use of intracavitary techniques may lack clinical experience in the use of newer interstitial procedures. An examination of radiation exposure to the radiation oncology staff administering the treatment, exposure rate at frequently occupied points in the patient room, and exposure to the nursing staff will be of value to those institutions considering integration of interstitial brachytherapy techniques into their department.
