Abstract: A brachytherapy device including a base adapted for being at least partially introduced into a body of a subject and a plurality of radionuclide atoms of a first alpha-emitting isotope, coupled to the base in a manner that not more than 15% of the radionuclide atoms leave the base in 24 hours, in methods other than radioactive decay. When installed in a human subject, the brachytherapy device emits radionuclide atoms of the first alpha-emitting isotope at a rate of at least 0.1% of the number of radionuclide atoms of the first alpha-emitting isotope coupled to the base, per 24 hours.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a prostate cancer tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a prostate cancer tumor, at least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 7 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 14.7 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A method of inserting brachytherapy seeds into a body organ includes grasping a body organ between a frame defining a large central hole and an additional element. A grid defining a plurality of apertures adapted to receive elongate applicators is placed on one side of the body organ. A plurality of applicators are passed through apertures in the first and second grids and through the body organ. The brachytherapy seeds are anchored in the organ through the frame.

Abstract: An interstitial source including a base suitable for implanting in a tumor and radioactive atoms of one or more isotopes, which are attached to the base. The radioactive atoms have a radon release rate of at least 0.5 micro-Curie (?Ci) per centimeter length, and emit beta radiation achieving at 2 millimeters from the base an asymptotic dose of at least 10 Gy. Additionally, the ratio between the beta radiation asymptotic dose at a distance of 2 millimeters from the device, to the radon release rate, is greater than 15 Gy/(microcurie/cm).

Abstract: A template assembly including a first grid (22) for placement on a first side of a body organ, defining a plurality of apertures (329) adapted to receive elongate applicators (410), a second grid (24) for placement on a second side of a body organ, defining a plurality of apertures (34), adapted to receive applicators passing through apertures of the first grid and the body organ and at least one frame (26) defining a large hole (72), positioned between the first and second grids and configured to grasp the body organ.

Abstract: An interstitial source including a base suitable for implanting in a tumor and alpha emitting atoms attached to the base, with a concentration of at least 6 ?Ci per centimeter length. The alpha emitting atoms are attached to the base, with a desorption probability upon radioactive decay of not more than 30%.

Abstract: A template assembly including a first grid (22) for placement on a first side of a body organ, defining a plurality of apertures (329) adapted to receive elongate applicators (410), a second grid (24) for placement on a second side of a body organ, defining a plurality of apertures (34), adapted to receive applicators passing through apertures of the first grid and the body organ and at least one frame (26) defining a large hole (72), positioned between the first and second grids and configured to grasp the body organ.

Abstract: A system includes a memory, configured to store program instructions, and a processor. The processor is configured to load the program instructions from the memory, and by executing the program instructions, to process a three-dimensional image of a portion of a body of a subject in which multiple brachytherapy to identify clusters of voxels of the image corresponding to the seed groups, respectively, to compute respective estimated positions of the brachytherapy seeds based on respective dimensions of each of the clusters, and to store or communicate the estimated positions for use in computing an effective dose of the brachytherapy seeds. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for planning a diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) treatment session. The apparatus includes an output interface and a memory configured with a plurality of tables which provide an accumulated measure of radiation over a specific time period, due to one or more types of DaRT radiotherapy sources which emit daughter radionuclides from the source, for a plurality of different distances and angles relative to the DaRT radiotherapy source. In addition, a processor is configured to receive a description of a layout of a plurality of DaRT radiotherapy sources in a tumor, to calculate a radiation dose distribution in the tumor responsive to the layout, using the tables in the memory, and to output feedback for the treatment responsive to the radiation dose distribution, through the output interface.

Abstract: Apparatus for planning a diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) treatment session. The apparatus includes an output interface and a memory configured with a plurality of tables which provide an accumulated measure of radiation over a specific time period, due to one or more types of DaRT radiotherapy sources which emit daughter radionuclides from the source, for a plurality of different distances and angles relative to the DaRT radiotherapy source. In addition, a processor is configured to receive a description of a layout of a plurality of DaRT radiotherapy sources in a tumor, to calculate a radiation dose distribution in the tumor responsive to the layout, using the tables in the memory, and to output feedback for the treatment responsive to the radiation dose distribution, through the output interface.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a glioblastoma tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a glioblastoma tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source (21) with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source (21) provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 6.5 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 14.3 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a breast cancer tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a breast cancer tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source (21) with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source (21) provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 3.5 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 9 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a colorectal cancer tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a colorectal cancer tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source (21) with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source (21) provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 3.7 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 9.2 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a prostate cancer tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a prostate cancer tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source (21) with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source (21) provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 7 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 14.7 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a squamous cell carcinoma tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a squamous cell carcinoma tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source (21) with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source (21) provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 3.7 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 8.6 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A method for treating a cancerous tumor, by implanting in the cancerous tumor at least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source (21) with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source (21) provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon of at least 10 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour, per centimeter length. Optionally, the sources (21) are implanted in an array (160) of sources (21), each source separated from its neighboring sources (21) in the array by not more than 4.5 millimeters.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a melanoma tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a melanoma tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source (21) with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source (21) provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 3.2 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 7.5 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a pancreatic cancer tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a pancreatic cancer tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source (21) with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source (21) provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 5.6 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 11.6 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A device for implanting radiotherapy seeds in a tumor. The device includes a delivery tube having a distal end designed to enter the tumor, and defining an internal channel and an elongate applicator carrying one or more radiotherapy seeds each having a length of at least 1 millimeter, the applicator passing through the internal channel of the delivery tube. When a distal end of the elongate applicator is near a distal end of the delivery tube, it assumes an angle relative to an axis of the delivery tube, such that seeds ejected from the elongate applicator enter the tumor at an angle relative to the axis of the delivery tube.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a squamous cell carcinoma and implanting in the tumor identified as a squamous cell carcinoma tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 3.5 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 8 MBq hour, per centimeter length.