High Dose Rate (HDR) System
A Nucletron high dose rate (HDR) system is used to treat lesions by passing a tiny
Iridium-192 radioactive source into the patient via an implanted catheter. This radioactive source
is under computer control; it can be programmed to dwell for various durations at
specified locations within the catheter to produce a desired radiation dose distribution.
With the Nucletron system, many lung lesions and gynecological lesions can be
treated on an out-patient basis, which reduces the cost of treatment for the patient.
The Nucletron system is remotely controlled. The
radioactive source is securely contained and shielded while the patient is being
prepared for treatment and at the conclusion of a treatment. Thus, there is no exposure to
medical personnel
around the patient.
In
our department, we routinely use this system for the management of lung cancers
and gynecologic cancers to optimize clinical results and
patient convenience.