Which therapy is commonly used for superficial cancers or localized primary tumors?

• A. External Beam
• B. Linear Accelerators
• C. Cobalt-60 Unit (Gamma Knife)
• D. Brachytherapy

Answer: (D)

Delivering radiation from within or right next to the tumor lets you give a high dose to the cancer while sparing surrounding tissues. This approach, called brachytherapy, is especially suited for superficial cancers and localized primary tumors because the radiation source can be placed very close to the lesion, achieving precise targeting with rapid dose fall‑off. That means skin and nearby structures receive less exposure while the tumor receives a strong dose for effective control. In practice, applicators or catheters are positioned in or near the tumor and radioactive material delivers treatment from short distances, offering good dose localization and often shorter overall treatment times. External beam methods deliver radiation from outside the body and can involve broader treatment areas, while systems like Gamma Knife are specialized for intracranial targets, not typical superficial lesions.