interstitial radiation therapy


Radiation therapy in which radioactive materials­—iridium-192, radium-226, and other radioisotopes—sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters are placed in direct contact with certain carcinomas to deliver locally intense ionising radiation—e.g., as needed in invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix

in·ter·sti·ti·al ra·di·a·tion ther·a·py

(in'tĕr-stish'ăl rā'dē-ā'shŭn) Use of sealed radioactive sources in the form of needles, wires, or seeds inserted directly into malignant tissue; may be temporary or permanent.