Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is from a Greek word that means short distance. It is a form of radiation therapy where a radioisotope is implanted inside the tumor to deliver an intense dose of radiation in a precise manner.  Often, a course of  brachytherapy can be of shorter duration than other forms of radiation cancer treatments.

Brachytherapy can be of a temporary or permanent type.  Temporary procedures involve the placement of hollow tubes inside the tumor for a short duration afterloading with high energy radioisotope.  Dr. Schreiber uses Iridium 192 exclusively for this type of implant.  Permanent procedures involve placing the low energy isotope only, in a one-time procedure, into the tumor directly where the radiation is given off slowly over several months.  Dr. Schreiber use Palladium 103 exclusively for this type of implant.

At Littleton Radiation Oncology, Dr. Schreiber is a recognized national leader in brachytherapy techniques, having performed over 5,000 over the last 28 years. 

Dr. Schreiber has also developed medial devices that have contributed to new and innovative brachytherapy techniques.