3. How does radiation kill cancer?

Cancer is made of abnormal cells that tend to grow without control. Cancer DNA is more sensitive to radiation than are normal cells, so radiation kills cancer directly or when the cells attempt to multiply while normal tissue in the region is able to repair and recover.

4. What are the advantages of HDR Brachytherapy?

• Short course of treatment compared to other types of radiation treatment (1 week)
• Preservation of organ structure and function
• Fewer side effects
• Excellent coverage of possible microscopic extension of cancer
• Knowledge of radiation dose distribution before treatment is given
• Accuracy and precision of tumor specific radiation dose delivery
• Minimizes areas of radiation overdose (hot spots) or underdose (cold spots)
• Organ motion (target movement) is not a problem for HDR as it is with external beam

Prostate Specific

• Effective treatment for cancer recurrence (termed "salvage" therapy)
• No radiation source (seeds) migration into other organs
• No radiation exposure to other persons

Breast Specific

• Conserves the breast and yields excellent cosmetic results
• Reduces radiation dose to the heart, lungs, and opposite breast
• Doesn't cause a delay in other treatments such as chemotherapy

For more information on the advantages for specific cancer sites please click on the appropriate link below:
Prostate cancer | Breast Cancer | Gynecologic Cancer | Head & Neck Cancer
Esophageal and Bile Duct Cancer | Lung Cancer | Soft Tissue Sarcoma Cancer

5. How successful is HDR Brachytherapy?

HDR Brachytherapy is effective treatment of local disease in many forms of cancer including prostate, gynecological, breast, head and neck, esophagus, lung, anorectal, bile duct, sarcoma, and other primary cancer or localized metastasis as reported in medical literature. CET's publication on prostate cancer, for example has demonstrated 90% 10-year tumor control. Success rates for other tumors vary according to the type and stage of cancer being treated.

6. How many treatments has CET administered?

As of 12/31/2009, CET has performed 10,267 HDR implants and delivered 21,878 HDR treatments. Please see our treatment statistics for further details.

7. Why is HDR less well known than other forms of cancer treatment?

HDR Brachytherapy is a relatively new form of advance radiation technology. Fewer physicians have been trained to perform HDR procedures compared to seed implants or external beam radiation. Few centers, other than CET have been dedicated to the development of HDR brachytherapy to its full potential. Dr. Demanes has devoted his career to the advancement of brachytherapy and has pioneered the use of HDR and established CET as a center of excellence with specially trained and experienced staff and physicians.

8. Why should I select CET?

• Most experienced HDR center in the country
• First center specializing solely in HDR brachytherapy
• Recognized as HDR experts by colleagues in radiation oncology
• Acknowledged safety record
• Highly trained and experienced physicians and staff
• Long term results published in peer reviewed medical literature
• Quality patient care and follow up

Please see CET Advantage for more information.