Brachytherapy in lung cancer.

Brachytherapy, the direct application of a radioactive isotope into the tumor bed, delivers a high dose to the tumor as compared to the surrounding normal tissue. Interstitial brachytherapy, the placement of the isotope into a tumor bed where no lumen exists, has been described but is utilized infrequently in clinical practice. Endobronchial brachytherapy, the placement of the source within the airway lumen, as a boost to conventional external beam radiation has not yet demonstrated improved local tumor control or overall survival as compared to external beam alone in the definitive treatment of inoperable lung cancer. In the palliative setting, brachytherapy can provide prompt relief of obstructive symptoms and hemoptysis in the majority of patients.