Affordable Cost Brachytherapy in India

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What is Brachytherapy?

Generally, worldwide it is estimated that one in seven couples have problems conceiving, with the incidence similar in most countries independent of the level of the country's development. Infertility is not always a woman's problem. Both women and men can have problems that cause infertility. About one-third of infertility cases are caused by women's problems. Another one third of fertility problems are due to the man. The other cases are caused by a mixture of male and female problems or by unknown problems.

What is the history of Brachytherapy?

In 1901, Pierre Curie suggested to Danlos at St. Louis Hospital in Paris that a small radium tube be inserted into a tumor thus heralding the birth of Brachytherapy. In 1903, Alexander Graham Bell made a similar suggestion, completely independently, in a letter to the Editor of Archives Roentgen Ray. It was found in these early experiences that inserting radioactive materials into tumors revealed that radiation caused cancers to shrink.

In the early twentieth century, major Brachytherapy work was done at the Curie Institute in Paris and at Memorial Hospital in New York. Dr. Robert Abbe, the chief surgeon at St. Lukes Hospital of New York, placed tubes into tumor beds after resection, and later inserted removable Radium sources thus introducing the after loading technique as early as 1905. Dr. William Myers at Ohio State University developed several radioisotopes, including Gold-198, Cobalt-60, Iodine-125, and Phosphorus-32 for clinical Brachytherapy. These were implanted surgically by Drs. Arthur James (surgeon) and Ulrich Henschke (radiation oncologist).

Finally, while Brachytherapy was initially used only for treatment of cancer, it has now been found to be useful in non-malignant diseases (for example, in the prevention of vascular rest enosis) as well. It is clear that Brachytherapy is the optimum way of delivering conformal radiotherapy tailored to the shape of the tumor while sparing surrounding normal tissues.

What types of cancer/conditions can be treated with brachytherapy?

Brachytherapy is used to treat cancers throughout the body, including the:

• Prostate Cancer
• Head and Neck Cancer
• Skin Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Gallbladder Carcinoma
• Uterine Carcinoma
• Vaginal Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Rectum Cancer
• Eye Cancer

Brachytherapy is an effective option for some people who have prostate cancer or cervical cancer, and may be preferred for some women who have uterine (endometrial) cancer. Doctors recommend Brachytherapy for people who are at risk for tumor re-growth in the upper vagina after removal of the uterus.

Brachytherapy centres in India?

The Brachytherapy centers in India have radiotherapy machines and equipments, logistical resources in terms of trained personal and supporting staff. They ensure to offers the highest quality medical treatments, services and care as the patient’s needs. We have collaborated with the best centres in India to offer economical and successful Brachytherapy in India for the overseas patients.

What is the success rate of Brachytherapy?

The results of prostate Brachytherapy are comparable to those of radical prostatectomy for five to seven years after treatment. The long-term data (longer than 10 years after treatment) are limited. Studies demonstrate success rates of 74% at seven years, with success being defined by either a PSA of less than 0.5ng/ml or the absence of three consecutive rises in PSA in patients who received Brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Survival rates for men who receive this procedure are from 81% to 93%. Given the aggressiveness of most cancers, especially if not treated early, this is a very high success rate.

What preparations need to be done before Brachytherapy?

Doctor will determine which preparations need to be done prior to your Brachytherapy procedure. These may include:

• Bowel preparation
• Pre-treatment ultrasound, MRI or CT scan
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Chest X-rays

Doctor may also use computer programs to plan the Brachytherapy before the actual treatment procedure. A few days before procedure, you will be given specific instructions on how to prepare for your Brachytherapy procedure.

What are Brachytherapy types?

Different types of Brachytherapy can be defined according to the source placement, dose rate and dose delivery time.

Source placement

The two main types of Brachytherapy treatment in terms of the placement of the radioactive source are interstitial and contact.

• In the case of interstitial Brachytherapy, the sources are placed directly in the target tissue of the affected site, such as the prostate or breast.
• Contact Brachytherapy involves placement of the radiation source in a space next to the target tissue.

What is the dose rate of Brachytherapy?

The dose rate of Brachytherapy refers to the level or ‘intensity’ with which the radiation is delivered to the surrounding medium and is expressed in Grays per hour (Gy/h).

• Low-dose rate (LDR), Brachytherapy involves implanting radiation sources that emit radiation at a rate of up to 2 Gy.hr-1.[ LDR Brachytherapy is commonly used for cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, sarcomas and prostate cancer
• Medium-dose rate (MDR), Brachytherapy is characterized by a medium rate of dose delivery, ranging between 2 Gy.hr-1 to 12 Gy.hr-1.
• High-dose rate (HDR), Brachytherapy is when the rate of dose delivery exceeds 12 Gy.hr-1. The most common applications of HDR Brachytherapy are in tumors of the cervix, esophagus, lungs, breasts and prostate. Most HDR treatments are performed on an outpatient basis, but this is dependent on the treatment site.
• Pulsed-dose rate (PDR), Brachytherapy involves short pulses of radiation, typically once an hour, to simulate the overall rate and effectiveness of LDR treatment. Typical tumor sites treated by PDR Brachytherapy are gynecological and head and neck cancers.

What is the duration of dose delivery in Brachytherapy?

The placement of radiation sources in the target area can be temporary or permanent.

• Temporary Brachytherapy involves placement of radiation sources for a set duration (usually a number of minutes or hours) before being withdrawn. The specific treatment duration will depend on many different factors, including the required rate of dose delivery and the type, size and location of the cancer. In LDR and PDR Brachytherapy, the source typically stays in place up to 24 hours before being removed, while in HDR Brachytherapy this time is typically a few minutes.
• Permanent Brachytherapy, also known as seed implantation, involves placing small LDR radioactive seeds or pellets (about the size of a grain of rice) in the tumor or treatment site and leaving them there permanently to gradually decay. Over a period of weeks or months, the level of radiation emitted by the sources will decline to almost zero. The inactive seeds then remain in the treatment site with no lasting effect. Permanent Brachytherapy is most commonly used in the treatment of prostate cancer.

How is Brachytherapy Procedure done?

The placement of radiation sources in the target area can be temporary or permanent.

In Brachytherapy procedure physicians place the source of irradiation close to the tumor or within a body cavity. Brachytherapy may include placing radioactive sources inside a body cavity such as the vagina, or by putting radioactive material directly into body tissue using hollow needles.

Brachytherapy may be given in addition to external beam radiation, or it may be used as the only form of radiotherapy. In some cases the radioactive sources may be permanently left in place; in other cases, they are removed after a specified time. Placement of radioactive sources may be repeated several times in some situations.

What are the advantages of Brachytherapy treatment?

Advantages of Brachytherapy include:

• The precise targeting of the radiation, which spares healthy tissue;
• The fact that the procedure can usually be completed in 1-3 hours on an outpatient basis;
• A substantially lower incidence than surgery or external beam irradiation of both impotence and incontinence; and little to no impact on the patient's quality of life.
• Patients typically return to their normal activities within 1-2 days with minimal restrictions.
• Brachytherapy greatly shortens the duration of the treatment, in fact prostate cancer Brachytherapy can often take one and a half days rather than the 5-7 weeks of traditional radiation.

What risk is involved in Brachytherapy treatment?

Risks of this treatment approach include some incidence of impotence and incontinence, frequent urination and, occasionally, blood in the urine.

What is the alternative to Brachytherapy?

There are other alternative to Brachytherapy which can be either radiotherapy like external beam radiation or surgical. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is the use of radiation therapy to kill or inactivate cancer cells. Radiation is given in separate, smaller doses known as fractionation.

Why choose India for Brachytherapy treatment?

There are many advantages of Brachytherapy in India. Some of them are:

• International accredited partner hospitals, patient centered approach with well equipped facilities. English speaking staff, providing personalized and caring service at par with any best hospital in the world.
• Extensive investments have been made to ensure that all medical centers are equipped with modern facilities, internationally accredited hospitals of India are capable of handling the latest techniques and procedures. These state-of-the-art facilities focus on what matters: more effective, efficient and pleasant solutions for patients.
• With all medical centers equipped with modern facilities, medical centers in India are able to provide shorter waiting time. Patients may be hospitalized upon arrival, and examinations and work-up tests are usually addressed promptly.
• The Indian government has made it easier for visitors seeking health treatments to enter the country. With the relevant letter from the medical centre at which you will be receiving your medical treatment, you may enjoy up to six months of visa extension.

What is the cost of Brachytherapy in India?

• India offers a low cost brachytherapy for international patients.
• India's favorable exchange rate and the cost of healthcare services are at an extensively lower cost than that of other countries. If you're coming from a Western country such as the United States or Britain, medical procedures in India will generally cost a fraction of the price as compared to prices back home.
• Prices in India are reasonable and affordable, be it accommodation, food or even shopping.
• From comfortable and affordable hotels to five-star accommodations, India provides you with a choice to budget or splurge. Hotels start from as low as USD50 to USD150 per night depending on its star rating. Alternatively, if your family is accompanying you for treatment, there is also an option to rent a serviced apartment.

How Indian Medguru Group can help to get best Brachytherapy in India?

Indian Medguru Group the top most medical tourism company in India having all the top most hospitals in its panel delivering best medical services to the patients. You just have to send us a query regarding brachytherapy in India and within 24 hours, a patient coordinator will contact you for further details and interaction. From that point everything will be taken care of by that coordinator, like arranging VISA, accommodation, appointment with the doctor with round the clock services to make your medical tour hassle free. Indian Medguru Group offers well-qualified and professional doctors, surgeons, physicians, and medical staff who aid you in recovery from your ailment and ensure a safe and healthy journey back home.

Brachytherapy in India is available in following cities;

Some of the common countries from which patients travel to India for surgery are:

How many International Brachytherapy patients came to India?

• The list of TOP 10 Middle Eastern countries from where the Brachytherapy Patients travelled to India is given below.
• Besides South Asian countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka), every year, India gets thousands of medical tourists from African countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, and Middle Eastern countries like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran, UAE, Yemen, Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkey, Qatar and many other countries like Australia, USA, Tajikistan, Mauritius, Uzbekistan to name a few.
• Hence, if you are a citizen of any of these countries, there is good likelihood that you will be meeting some fellow citizens or same language speakers in the major hospitals in India. Almost all the top hospitals have translators for people of this region.

Here are the approximate percentage wise distributions of the patients coming from Top 15 Middle Eastern countries to India for Brachytherapy.

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