Brachytherapy in India
A radiation source is placed inside or next to the tumour, delivering a high dose to a small area.
At a glance
- Type
- Ongoing therapy
- Typical procedure time
- A few hours per application
- Typical hospital stay
- 1–3 days
- Time to plan in India
- 1–3 weeks
These are broad, typical ranges for planning a trip. Your doctor sets the real plan for you, and it can be shorter or longer.
When people ask about it
- Cervical, prostate and some other cancers as part of the plan
Whether it suits you is a decision for a doctor who has examined you and seen your results.
How it usually works
- Assessment and planThe team reviews your diagnosis, past treatment and goals and proposes a plan.
- Starting treatmentTreatment begins as sessions, cycles or ongoing medicines.
- MonitoringTests and scans measure how treatment is working and look for side effects.
- Adjusting the planDoses, timings or approach are changed as needed.
- Continuing near homeWhere possible, ongoing treatment is handed to a doctor near you with clear written instructions.
Recovery and follow-up
- Care of the treated area and checks follow.
- Often combined with external radiation.
Every procedure carries risks, and they differ from person to person. Ask your doctor to explain the risks that apply to you before you decide.
What affects the cost
We do not publish prices we cannot stand behind. The total depends on you, the hospital and the doctor. After a doctor has reviewed your records, you receive an itemised written estimate before you decide anything.
- The type of therapy and the number of cycles or sessions
- The specific drugs or techniques
- Tests and scans to monitor response
- Hospital or day-care charges
- Your stay and local travel for each stay
Documents to prepare
- Diagnosis and pathology reports
- Details of previous treatment with dates and doses
- Recent scans and blood tests
- A list of all medicines and any reactions
- Passport and visa documents
Travel and stay
- Ask which parts can be done close to home to avoid repeated long journeys.
- Plan for rest between sessions or cycles.
- Make sure a doctor at home agrees to take over monitoring.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Is brachytherapy part of my standard plan?
- How many applications are needed?
- What is the aim of radiation in my case?
- How many sessions, and over how long?
More in Radiation oncology
Ongoing therapy
IMRT and VMAT radiation therapy
Read the planning guide Ongoing therapyImage-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
Read the planning guide Ongoing therapyStereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife or CyberKnife)
Read the planning guide Ongoing therapyProton beam therapy
Read the planning guide Ongoing therapyStereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)
Read the planning guidePlanning information only. This page gives general information to help you prepare questions and plan a trip. It does not diagnose, recommend a treatment or promise an outcome, a price or the availability of a doctor or hospital. Figures are broad, typical ranges and vary from person to person. Only a doctor who has examined you can say what is right for you. This page was prepared by Prognova's editorial team and has not yet been reviewed by a licensed clinician.