Treating a cancerous tumor involves placing radioactive material either directly into the cancer growth or the surrounding tissue. This approach, known as a form of brachytherapy, allows for precise radiation targeting of the affected area.
Under general anesthesia, radioactive materials, typically in the form of artificial radioisotopes, are embedded into or close to the afflicted tissue using wires, tiny tubes, or seeds. The duration these materials remain varies, depending on both the type of radioactive substance and the nature of the tumor. For certain conditions, like prostate cancer, the material stays permanently, as its radiation dissipates relatively quickly.