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 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 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 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 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 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 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: An apparatus includes a support, including an outer surface and configured for insertion into a body of a subject. The apparatus further includes multiple atoms of a radionuclide, which radioactively decays to produce a daughter radionuclide, coupled to the outer surface, and a layer of a polymer, which covers the atoms so as to protect the atoms from being washed away, yet allows diffusion of the daughter radionuclide through the layer. Other embodiments are also described.

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.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus (20, 21), which includes a support (22), including an outer surface (24) and configured for insertion into a body of a subject. The apparatus further includes multiple atoms (26) of a radionuclide, which radioactively decays to produce a daughter radionuclide, coupled to the outer surface, and a layer (28, 33) of a polymer, which is permeable to the daughter radionuclide, that covers the atoms. Other embodiments are also described.

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 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 5.6 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 9.5 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

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 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 3.4 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 8.6 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a breast cancer or prostate cancer tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a breast cancer or prostate cancer 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.

Abstract: A method for treating a cancerous tumor, by implanting in the cancerous 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 of at least 10 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour, per centimeter length. Optionally, the sources are implanted in an array of sources, each source separated from its neighboring sources in the array by not more than 4.5 millimeters.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a colon cancer tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a colon cancer 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 8.4 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

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 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 3.7 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 8.8 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient with a tumor, and kits (200) for such treatment. The method includes administering, to the patient, a substance (204) which activates cytoplasmatic sensors for intracellular pathogen in the tumor and treating the tumor with intra-tumoral alpha-emitter radiotherapy within two weeks of administering the substance which activates cytoplasmatic sensors for intracellular pathogen in the tumor.