HDR afterloading

Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy in which cancer is treated by irradiation from a short distance. The radioactive source is placed directly inside or close to the site of the tumour. This reduces the risk of damaging the surrounding healthy tissue, while providing a very high dose of localised radiation to the tumour cells.
HDR (high dose rate) brachytherapy is conducted with a so-called HDR afterloader, also known as a Remote Afterloading System (RAL).
With the help of applicators and catheters, the very small radiation source is driven from a shielded safe – located inside the afterloader – directly into or next to the tumour. A computerised treatment planning program calculates precisely how long the source has to stay and radiate at the so-called dwell positions before being driven back into the safe.
HDR brachytherapy can often be performed on an out-patient basis. Additionally, it is conducted in only a few fractions. This noticeably increases the patient’s quality of life.

Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG manufactures two lines of HDR afterloaders: MultiSource^® and GyneSource^®.

Both systems are mostly used to treat gynaecological cancers (cervix, endometrium), but also tumours of the prostate, breast, oesophagus, lung and bronchus, as well as the lip and oral cavity.

Apart from the complete product portfolio for the Afterloading, Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG provides full installation of the device onsite, technical service, as well as a professional training for the clinic personnel.