This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of major technical advances and research findings in the field of brachytherapy. Especially research conducted on brachytherapy in Japan has made tremendous strides, offering readers valuable insights into new treatment outcomes, evidence and techniques. In the respective chapters, each author elucidates cutting-edge findings, addressing both the basic and clinical aspects including the application to various cancers, and especially focusing on highly valuable data gleaned in Japan. As such, the book will benefit not only radiation oncologists but also basic researchers, radiation technologists, medical physicists and members of medical staff who are involved in the development and utilization of this advanced therapy.

Yasuo Yoshioka,
Radiation Oncology Department, The Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR

Jun Itami,
Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital

Masahiko Oguchi,
Radiation Oncology Department, The Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR

Takashi Nakano,
Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University

Part I. General.-

1. History of Japanese brachytherapy.-
2. Japanese brachytherapy in the world.-
3. Deformable image registration in brachytherapy: Beyond dose volume histogram.-

Part II. Gynecology.-

4. Moving on from LDR to HDR.-
5. Intracavitary brachytherapy from 2D to 3D.-
6. Midline block (Central shield) .-
7. Hybrid brachytherapy.-
8. Interstitial brachytherapy: radical and salvage.-
9. Asian cooperation and global trend.-

Part III. Prostate.-

10. Prostate brachytherapy: the fact and the way to go.-
11. How we led Japanese low-dose-rate brachytherapy to successful practice (Urologist perspecitive).-
12. How we led Japanese low-dose-rate brachytherapy to successful practice (Radiation oncologist perspecitive).-
13. HDR monotherapy.-
14. Single-fraction boost HDR.-

Part IV. Breast.-

15. Japanese experience and American trend.-
16. Hungarian experience and European trend.-

Part V. Head and Neck.-

17. Low-dose-rate brachytherapy for oral cancer.-
18. High-dose-rate brachytherapy for oral cancer.-
19. Eye plaque brachytherapy for retinoblastoma and melanoma.-

Part VI. Intraluminal.-

20. Intraluminal brachytherapy for endobronchial cancer.-
21. Intraluminal brachytherapy for esophageal cancer.-
22. Intraluminal brachytherapy for biliary tract cancer.