The 21st century will surely be remembered for its extraordinary leaps in technological advancement. There is virtually no area in our lives left untouched by today’s advanced technology—and medical treatment is no exception. Doctors today can present a wide variety of cutting edge treatment options to their patients in many different areas. One of the more exciting advances is in the field of radiotherapy, and it is an advanced form of brachytherapy for cancer treatments.
Brachytherapy has been with us for a long time. It was first introduced in 1901 as a way to shrink cancerous tumors. The idea was to place the radiation source either inside or next to the area that requires treatment. This method has been effective in treating a number of different types of cancer, and can typically be completed more quickly than many other radiotherapy techniques.
Electronic Brachytherapy
Using the latest and most advanced forms of radiotherapy, electronic brachytherapy employs a high dose, miniaturized X-ray for direct radiation treatment for the cancerous site. This allows the radiation dose to be matched to the shape and size of the cancerous area while avoiding radioactive exposure to healthy tissue. This form of brachytherapy has proven to be very successful in treating endometrium, skin, and breast cancers.
Electronic brachytherapy has proven particularly effective in treating non-melanoma skin cancers. The traditional method of treating this type of cancer is Mohs surgery. While effective, Mohs carries a number of risks, including infection, bleeding, scarring, and occasional reconstructive surgery. The small dose of radiation that is delivered in electronic brachytherapy can be completed over the course of eight treatments. It has a 95% success rate and requires no cutting, eliminating the pain and bleeding that can come from the Mohs operation.
The Role of Connectors and Assemblies
When advanced procedures such as electronic brachytherapy are developed, they rely on solid technology provided by accessories such as connectors and cable assemblies. The right connectors can withstand altitude and temperature extremes, ensuring that sensitive equipment will work properly in all conditions. Multi-pin and other specialized connectors are available for sensitive applications such as radiotherapy. State-of-the-art connectors and assemblies help complete the package for these advanced applications. Electronic brachytherapy and many other such procedures could not reliably function without them.
A Wealth of Advantages
Electronic brachytherapy provides patients and medical practitioners with a variety of benefits. With the therapeutic dose directly delivered to the cancerous area, it eliminates a number of safety issues. It needs lower shielding requirements, allowing medical personnel to remain in the room while the process is administered. Multiple applications can be performed due to its unique design, with less radiation exposure to healthy tissue and organs. Electronic brachytherapy is an example of how far this process has come. This state-of-the-art technology, along with the backing of solid connection equipment, ensures patients can receive the highest level of care available—both now and long into the future.
Connectronics provides instrumentation for a number of different machines in the medical industry that revolutionizes the way patients are treated. For more information on our connectors and company, check out our website.
