IMRT stands for Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy. This involves varying the intensity of a radiation beam into several smaller beams that pinpoint and destroy cancer cells while sparing normal organs and tissues. IMRT enables physicians to tailor the radiation dosages to the contours of a tumor while reducing irradiation of healthy organs and tissues. This treatment works well for prostate cancer, head and neck, abdominal, lung, and other sites where the cancer may wrap around healthy organs and tissues.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is the placement of radioactive seeds, needles, or catheters near or inside a tumor. These can be placed permanently or temporarily depending on the cancer being treated.

High Dose Rate (HDR)
HDR is a term meaning High Dose Rate. It is a type of brachytherapy that uses a high dose source that is only placed in or near cancers temporarily in a highly controlled manner under strict supervision. It finds the most use in gynecologic cancers, sarcomas and less commonly other sites such as esophageal, lung or tumors of the biliary tract. Because the radiation is delivered in high doses, the treatment time is shortened.

Mammosite
Mammosite is a specific type of HDR Brachytherapy which specifically is used to treat breast cancer. It utilizes an inflatable balloon temporarily placed in a lumpectomy site at the time of surgery or in some cases, 2-3 weeks later and then followed by twice daily treatments over 5 days of just a few minutes a day where only the resected area of the breast is targeted.