What is brachytherapy defined as?

Brachytherapy is defined as the treatment that involves placing radioactive material directly at the tumor site. This targeted approach allows for a high dose of radiation to be delivered precisely to the tumor while minimizing exposure to the surrounding healthy tissue. It is commonly used in various types of cancer treatment, including prostate and breast cancer, among others. This localized treatment can improve efficacy while reducing side effects typically associated with more systemic forms of radiation therapy.

In contrast to other choices, the administration of a specific drug (which is not a typical method for brachytherapy) does not accurately describe this procedure. Additionally, brachytherapy is not limited to patients who only have specific genetic markers like the BRCA genes, nor is it conducted via an intravenous method through the brachial artery—both of which do not pertain to the fundamental definition of brachytherapy.