Photon Sources for Brachytherapy

As introduction a short overview of the history of brachytherapy (BT) is given, with a focus on the evolution in the photon sources that have been used over the years. A major step in this evolution was the introduction of the automatic afterloading devices, which could be compared to the introduction of linear accelerators in external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). The modem afterloaders allow for optimization of the dose delivery and the use of different dose rates (low dose rate, high dose rate and pulsed dose rate) in function of tumor biology and patient comfort. Still today new sources are under investigation, and these developments together with the improvements in treatment planning and treatment techniques will enforce the role and place of BT as a valuable alternative for or supplementary to EBRT.