Brachytherapy in India
Brachytherapy (internal radiation) places a tiny radioactive source inside or next to the tumor, delivering a high dose exactly where it’s needed while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. It’s commonly used for cervical, prostate, breast, head & neck, skin cancers and selected soft-tissue tumors.
Discover what this treats so that you can choose confidently
Brachytherapy delivers radiation inside the body directly at the tumor site. It is widely used for cervical and endometrial cancers, prostate cancer (HDR/LDR seeds), breast boost/partial-breast irradiation, head & neck/interstitial cases, skin cancers, and select soft-tissue sarcomas.
Why people choose India when this procedure is needed
- Radiation oncologists trained in high-dose-rate (HDR) and image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT)
- NABH/JCI-accredited centers with modern afterloaders (Elekta/Varian) and MRI/CT-based planning
- Expert physics & dosimetry teams for precise dwell-time optimization
- Costs 70–80% lower than USA/UK with global-standard outcomes
- OR/anesthesia support for applicator placement and pain control
- Comprehensive infection control, counseling, and follow-up
Leading Indian programs report high local-control rates when brachytherapy is integrated into standard protocols.
How the procedure works in simple steps
Think of brachytherapy as lighting the tumor from the inside—high intensity where needed, minimal spillover to healthy tissue.
- Evaluation: CT/MRI and exam to map tumor and choose applicator type (intracavitary/interstitial).
- Placement: Applicators/catheters are positioned; sedation or anesthesia ensures comfort.
- Imaging & planning: CT/MRI planning defines targets; software sets source dwell positions/times.
- Delivery: A remote afterloader sends a tiny source into the applicators for minutes; you feel no radiation.
- Removal & repeat: Applicators are removed; HDR is repeated over several sessions as prescribed.
In HDR, no radiation remains in your body after each session. LDR prostate “seeds” emit low-level radiation over weeks and stay in place permanently.
Who should consider this and when to wait
- Localized tumors where a high dose to a small area is ideal (cervix, prostate, breast boost, head & neck, skin)
- Patients needing shorter courses vs. external beam alone
- Re-irradiation in select cases where external beam dose is limited
Timing may be adjusted if there’s uncontrolled infection, uncorrected bleeding disorders, pregnancy (site-dependent), or you are unfit for anesthesia. Your radiation oncologist will confirm suitability with imaging and labs.
Benefits and risks that you should understand
Benefits
- Very high dose to tumor with rapid dose fall-off to normal tissues
- Short overall treatment time; many cases are day-care
- Often fewer side effects than external beam alone
- Excellent local control when used per guidelines
Possible side effects (site-specific, usually temporary)
- Urinary/bowel irritation, frequency, or mild discomfort
- Vaginal discharge/stenosis (gynecologic cases)
- Sore throat/mucosal irritation (head & neck)
- Bruising or tenderness where catheters were placed
- Rare: bleeding, infection, fistula, urethral stricture
Side effects are managed with medicines, skincare, pelvic floor therapy, and (for gynecologic cases) dilator use as advised.
Recovery timeline so that planning feels easier
- Day 0–3: Mild soreness at applicator site; resume light activity as advised.
- Week 1–2: Most day-to-day tasks feel normal; temporary urinary/bowel changes may occur.
- Month 1–3: Tissue healing; energy returns; follow-up exam and imaging as scheduled.
- Month 6–12: Continued recovery; long-term control assessed on scans.
Patient moment “My cervical brachytherapy sessions were quick day-care visits—back home the same day with excellent results.”
Cost overview without surprises
| Type of Brachytherapy | Average Cost (USD) | Typical Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| HDR Intracavitary (Cervix/Endometrium) | 1800 – 3200 | 3 – 5 fractions |
| HDR Interstitial (Head & Neck / Soft Tissue) | 2500 – 5000 | 3 – 6 fractions |
| Prostate LDR Seed Implant | 7000 – 10000 | Single implant |
Final cost depends on site, applicator type, anesthesia, imaging (CT/MRI), and inpatient needs. Personalized estimates follow planning.
How to compare hospitals and specialists with confidence
Choose a center like selecting a precision instrument—technology, experience, and quality checks matter most.
- MRI/CT-guided planning with IGBT; modern afterloaders (Elekta/Varian)
- Experienced radiation oncologists and dedicated physics/dosimetry team
- OR/anesthesia support; sterile applicator inventory (tandem-ovoid/ring, interstitial needles)
- Clear radiation-safety protocols and patient counseling
- NABH/JCI accreditation and multidisciplinary tumor board oversight
Ask about local-control rates for your cancer site, planning software, QA processes, and side-effect management.
Questions people often ask before this treatment
Is brachytherapy painful?
Applicator placement may feel uncomfortable, but anesthesia/sedation is used. Dose delivery is painless.
Will I be radioactive after treatment?
HDR: No radiation remains after each session. LDR seeds emit low-level radiation for weeks but are generally safe with simple precautions.
Can I combine it with external beam?
Yes—often combined (e.g., cervix, prostate) for best local control.
How soon can I resume normal life?
Usually within days; avoid heavy lifting and follow site-specific advice.
Are there long-term effects?
Most are mild; your team will discuss rare risks based on site and dose.
Video testimonials from real patients
Watch stories of patients who underwent brachytherapy in India—quick sessions, precise dosing, and strong outcomes.
Important care note so that every reader stays safe
Follow hygiene and wound-care instructions, hydrate well, use medicines as prescribed, and (for gynecologic cases) follow dilator guidance to prevent stenosis. Report persistent pain, fever, or bleeding immediately.
Medically reviewed by
Dr Aryan Malhotra
MBBS, David Tvildiani Medical University, Georgia
Radiation Oncology Resident, Burdwan Medical College and Hospital
Registration number: 95565
Dr Malhotra reviews radiation oncology pages for Treatmentcost.com to ensure factual accuracy, safety, and readability.
Disclaimer
This page is educational and not a substitute for medical advice. Brachytherapy must be planned and delivered by qualified radiation oncology teams using appropriate imaging and dosimetry.
References
Watch patient videos
https://www.youtube.com/@TreatmentCost