Brachytherapy is a sophisticated radiation method in which radioisotopes are
placed inside or at a short distance from the tumour. The volume of tissue that
receives the prescribed dose of radiotherapy is therefore fairly small compared
with that used in standard radiotherapy techniques. In paediatric oncology, this
method of radiation delivery can have a favourable effect on several undesirable
long-term side-effects that sometimes develop in children who receive
radiotherapy, such as growth retardation and development of second primary
tumours. Here, we describe the rationale for use of brachytherapy in children
with cancer, the methods of the different brachytherapy techniques available, and
the results obtained with several brachytherapy regimens in expert institutions
throughout the world