Brachytherapy is a process wherein a radioactive substance, typically sealed within a tiny pellet or wire, is implanted directly into or in the close vicinity of the tumour. This sophisticated procedure is conducted in a hospital under the guidance of medical experts while the patient remains under anaesthesia. The treatment, however, exhibits two forms: the High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy and the Low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy.
HDR brachytherapy is an outpatient procedure, delivering high radiation doses within minimal time, whereas the LDR form entails the permanent placement of a radioactive source into the tumour, needing a short hospital stay post-procedure. These methods might vary slightly depending on the cancer type and location, but the ultimate objective remains unaltered - delivering high radiation doses to destroy the cancerous cells.