Certified Hospice and Palliative Assistant (CHPNA) Practice Test

What is brachytherapy?

1. A form of external radiation therapy

2. A type of chemotherapy treatment

3. Implanted radiation therapy

4. A technique for pain relief

The correct answer is: Implanted radiation therapy

Brachytherapy is a form of localized radiation therapy that involves the placement of radioactive sources directly inside or very close to the tumor. This allows for a high dose of radiation to be delivered to the cancerous tissue while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. The implants can be temporary or permanent, and their placement is guided by the specific type and location of the cancer being treated. Unlike external radiation therapy, where radiation is delivered from outside the body, brachytherapy provides a more targeted approach that can lead to better treatment outcomes and potentially fewer side effects. It is particularly effective for certain cancers, such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. In contrast, external radiation therapy involves directing radiation beams from outside the body, chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells or stop their growth, and techniques for pain relief may involve different modalities unrelated to radiation therapy, such as medication or palliative procedures. Each of these alternative choices lacks the specific mechanism of localized radiation delivery that defines brachytherapy. This targeted approach is key to understanding why brachytherapy is categorized specifically as implanted radiation therapy.