The team of physicians at Northeast Radiation Oncology Centers (NROC) offers the most comprehensive, advanced radiation therapy technologies available in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Doctors at NROC carefully advise patients about which type of radiation therapy is most effective for their type and stage of cancer.

Brachytherapy

A specialized form of radiation treatment, brachytherapy is most often used at NROC for men with prostate cancer and for women with cancer of the reproductive organs. It is also used in skin cancer treatment.

Brachy is derived from the Greek word meaning short. Brachytherapy delivers an intense form of radiation over a short distance through small needles or catheters directly into the tumor site, or near the site, to destroy the cancer cells.

NROC physicians have extensive experience in providing Brachytherapy and have treated more people with Brachytherapy than most other physicians in Pennsylvania. NROC utilizes the most innovative types of brachytherapy available. Also known as internal radiation, implant radiation, or interstitial radiation therapy, brachytherapy is highly accurate and delivers maximum effectiveness of the radiation in eliminating the tumor.

High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy:
NROC was the first facility in Northeast Pennsylvania to offer HDR Brachytherapy as a treatment option for men with prostate cancer. This treatment technique inserts a precisely- focused dose of radiation through a needle directly to the tumor site. The needle then withdraws the radiation so no radioactive material is left within the body. HDR Brachytherapy allows extremely precise treatment planning and delivery, thus protecting the three critical surrounding organs, the urethra, rectum and bladder. This greatly reduces side effects that often result from surgery, such as impotence and incontinence.