I am pleased to write a health related content. It’s been a while and I have missed it.
I got to know about brachytherapy for the very first time last year.
Brachytherapy is a method of delivering radioactive treatment internally to a cancer site to maximize chances of cure.
Simply say, the introduction of treatment to the cancer in a person to increase cure rate.
It can be done alone or as a part of other treatment.
There are two types of Brachytherapy:
– High dose rate (HDR) : This can be done with the aid of a plastic Catheter inserted under general or spinal anaesthesia via the perineum to the prostate or through the vagina for delivering radioactive substances.
– Low dose rate (LDR): In this, a permanent implant is placed and only for prostate cancer.
Preparation
-Patient should be admitted a day before the surgery for enema administration
– Nil by mouth from midnight.
After care
– CT and MRI scans will be carried out.
– Patient is nursed lying flat as the implant is in place.
– Strong analgesics like morphine and the likes are administered.
– Heads can be raised during feeding only.
Removal of catheter
– When removed, patient is monitored to ensure urine is passed freely prior to discharge.
I hope this gives you an idea of what brachytherapy is and what is involved.
On one occasion, the patient was very dependent on morphine and would scream in pain most of the time.
It is truly hard to see someone in pain all the time. However, I haven’t seen that much morphine given in a short while.
The Dr had to intervene and speak with the patient regarding so much morphine given and the risks. The patient still demanded for more.
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