What is the typical dose rate for LDR brachytherapy procedures?

Low Dose Rate (LDR) brachytherapy procedures typically employ a dose rate of around 0.05 Gy/minute. This technique involves the placement of radioactive sources close to or within the tumor itself, allowing for a lower dose of radiation to be delivered continuously over an extended period. The rationale behind this slower dose rate is to maximize the radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing the exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

In contrast, higher dose rates tend to rapidly deliver significant doses of radiation, which is characteristic of High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy, where dose rates can range from several hundred to thousands of gray per minute, making them unsuitable for LDR applications. The focus on the sustained radiation delivery in LDR is particularly effective for certain cancers, allowing for a more localized treatment method with reduced acute side effects.