[Current status and future of brachytherapy].

This paper reviewed the development of brachytherapy for the past and at present. In Japan, remotely controlled high-dose-rate afterloading intracavitary treatment for uterine cervix carcinoma has become quite common and interstitial radiotherapy with 192Ir hairpin technique for intraoral carsinomas has also been in routine practice at an increased number of institutes in Japan. These has played a great role in eliminating the personnel exposure. Our present efforts are now directed to extend indications to some other cancers, such as bile-duct, pancreas, rectum and prostate. Nearly 20 patients with intraluminal insertion of 192Ir-wire and template technique with 192Ir-wire has just started to apply for rectal had prostate cancer. Permanent implant of 125I has been also of much interest.