Which statement describes brachytherapy in breast cancer treatment?

• A. Radioactive seeds are delivered through catheters placed in the breast.
• B. External radiation is delivered via seeds.
• C. The entire breast is removed.
• D. Lymph node biopsy is unnecessary.

Answer: (A)

Brachytherapy is internal radiation therapy, delivering the radioactive source directly inside or very close to the treatment area. In breast cancer, this means catheters are placed in the breast tissue around the area after lumpectomy, and radioactive seeds or a temporary HDR source are delivered through those catheters. This targets the tumor bed with a high local dose while sparing most of the surrounding tissue and reducing systemic exposure.

This approach contrasts with external radiation, which sends radiation from outside the body, and it isn’t about removing the entire breast or performing a lymph node biopsy. The description of delivering radioactive seeds through catheters placed in the breast precisely captures how brachytherapy works.