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Definition of Brachytherapy

By Matthew Schmitz, M.D., About.com

Updated: March 29, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition: Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy that involves the placement of the source of radioactivity inside the body (as opposed to the source of radioactivity being outside the body as in external beam radiation therapy). Brachytherapy for prostate cancer involves placing tiny radioactive "seeds" directly into the prostate.
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