Brachytherapy is a type of internal radiotherapy because the radiation is placed inside the body.

At The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre we currently offer brachytherapy for prostate, cervical, endometrial, rectal and skin cancer.

This page explains what to expect during your treatment with us. 

Our team and locations

Our specialist team will do all they can to make your treatment with us as easy and comfortable as possible for you. 

Brachytherapy Team wearing blue theatre scrubs, caps and facemask

Our Brachytherapy team is highly-qualified and experienced and will be there for you every step of the way. They specialise in brachytherapy to make sure every patient gets the best possible treatment and care. 

You may not meet all of the team as some work behind the scenes. The team includes:

  • Clinical oncologists
  • Therapy radiographers
  • Anaesthetists
  • Theatre practitioners
  • Operating department practitioners
  • Recovery nurses
  • Physicists
  • Porters
  • Radiologists
  • Diagnostic radiographers
  • Treatment coordinators and booking clerks

Our purpose-built brachytherapy suite is on Level 1 of Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool.

Deciding to have treatment

When you are diagnosed with cancer, your care will be discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) where different specialists will consider your treatment options.

Your doctor will discuss this with you during your appointment so you can decide what treatment is right for you. You can bring someone with you to this appointment (e.g. a family member, carer or friend) if you like. You can ask any questions you have about your treatment options. You can also talk about any worries you have. 

When you are ready, your doctor will ask you to give your consent for treatment. Giving your consent confirms you are agreeing to have treatment. You do not have to give consent if you decide you do not want the treatment. 

Having brachytherapy

Brachytherapy delivers radiation into body cavities or tissues using hollow tubes known as applicators. This makes it ideal for treating cancer in body tissue that is close to the applicator. An applicator is put in place just before each treatment session.

The radiation comes from a small solid radioactive source that is stored in a specialised treatment machine. During treatment the radioactive source:

  • Travels down a tube into the applicator
  • Delivers the radiation dose set out in your treatment plan, and 
  • Then automatically returns to the machine

You are NOT radioactive following your brachytherapy treatment so it is fine for you to be around children and anyone who is pregnant after your treatment. 

Brachytherapy can be delivered alone or can be combined with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

There might be some waiting time between the stages of your treatment. You might like to bring something with you to help pass the time more comfortably:

  • Something to read 
  • A phone or device for listening to music, watching TV or films, playing games and so on. We have free WiFi. Please wear headphones as a courtesy to others.

Tell the receptionist when you arrive or use the self-check-in machine so we know you are here. They will explain where to wait for your treatment. A member of the Brachytherapy team will meet you there. 

You can usually bring someone with you to your treatment if you wish. For safety and comfort, we just ask you to follow these rules:

  • One adult visitor or chaperone can come with you 
  • Children are not allowed – it is not a safe or suitable environment for children 
  • Follow any local restrictions on visiting. (For example, sometimes visitors might not be allowed due to the risk of infection.)

Having treatment

The procedure we use will depend on the type of cancer we are treating you for.

The links below explain in more detail about your appointments, preparation, what to expect on the day, possible side-effects and follow-up afterwards. High dose (HDR) brachytherapy to the vaginal vault

  • High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for cancer of the cervix 
  • Use of vaginal dilators when receiving radiotherapy to the pelvis
  • Treatment of prostate cancer with high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy
  • Treatment of prostate cancer with high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy in combination with External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT)
  • High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for skin cancer

Some of these procedures are done under general anaesthetic. You will have an appointment beforehand – known as a pre-operative assessment appointment – so we can check if you are suitable for general anaesthetic. 

Find out what to expect if you need anaesthetic (Information from Royal College of Anaesthetists). 

Brachytherapy for cervical cancer

Find out more in this video about what to expect if you are having brachytherapy for cervical cancer. Video transcript

After your treatment

The radiation treatment will carry on working for up to three weeks after your brachytherapy. Your radiographers will explain this to you at your last appointment. 

A follow-up appointment will be booked with your clinical oncologist – this might be face to face (in person) or on the telephone. 

We will send a letter to your GP explaining your treatment in detail. 

You can contact the Brachytherapy team at any time after your treatment if you have any concerns or questions.

Treatment side-effects and complications 

Because brachytherapy only treats a small area of tissue, short-term side-effects tend to be minimal but they might still occur. 

We will explain the possible side-effects before we get your consent for treatment. You can ask us any questions you have and discuss any concerns. 

If there are any side-effects you are worried about, please feel free to contact the brachytherapy clinical specialist on the contact details below.

Our patient information includes more detail on side-effects for different types of brachytherapy – follow the links at the end of this page. 

Urgent alert

Hotline

If you feel very unwell during or up to 8 weeks after your cancer treatment, it is important to contact us straight away. Our specialist Hotline nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0800 169 5555.  

Call our Hotline straight away if:

  • You have a temperature over 37.5°C (99.5°F)
  • You suddenly feel unwell, even with a normal temperature
  • You have symptoms of an infection – these include feeling shivery and shaking; a sore throat; a cough; breathlessness; diarrhoea; needing to pee frequently or feeling pain or discomfort when you pee
  • Your temperature goes below 36°C (96.8°F)

Our Hotline nurses can assess your symptoms and offer expert advice on what to do next.