Иновации в борбата с туморни образувания – лечение чрез брахитерапия
Innovations in the Treatment of Malignent Neoplasms: Treatment with Brachytherapy

Summary/Abstract: This report shows one of the contemporary methods of malignant neoplasms’ treatment – brachytherapy. Solid or liquid radioactive sources are used. Brachytherapy is a type of intercellular radiotherapy in which the source of radioactive energy is placed near the organ or directly in it. The ionizing energy destroys the structure of DNA and thus hinders cell division. During the treatment, specially targeted radiation is delivered to the tumor without any damages to the surrounding tissues and organs. The advantage of brachytherapy, compared to EBRT is that the damaged cells are fewer. In brachytherapy, radioactive materials are implanted in the form of seeds or liquids via feeder. The radioactive seeds consist of a titanium capsule containing a redioactive element 125I or 192Ir and a metal radiographic marker for tracking the capsule. Brachytherapy is used for treatment of cancer of the prostate, vagina, cervix, breast, skin, esophagus, face and neck, gallbladder, etc. In Bulgaria, brachytherapy is practiced in Sofia, Stara Zagora, Shumen and Veliko Tarnovo. In the oncology center in Shumen between 150 and 170 patients are treated with brachytherapy every year which is 1/6 of all patients, being treated in the center.

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