Brachytherapy

Radiation therapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) tumors, with brachytherapy offering a unique and advantageous approach by placing localized radiation sources within tumors or resection sites. Despite its potential, brachytherapy’s utility is clouded by the diversity in radiation sources, techniques, and trial designs. This chapter aims to clarify consistent themes, delve into radiobiological and physics principles, explore isotope applications, and provide an overview of brachytherapy techniques, empowering clinicians, and researchers to make informed decisions when considering it as a treatment option. Drawing from available data, in this chapter, we summarize its effectiveness across various CNS sites and malignancies.