Prostate brachytherapy

This type of brachytherapy involves placing radioactive iodine-125 seeds in the prostate. The iodine seeds, encased in a titanium capsule, look like small silver-colored metal wires, 0.8 millimeters in diameter and 4.5 millimeters long. These seeds emit low-energy radiation over a few millimeters, allowing the tumor to be treated in a very localized manner while protecting the surrounding organs. The radiation emitted away from the prostate and at the surface of the body is harmless. Prostate brachytherapy requires a short hospital stay of 3 days.

Gynaecological brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a radiation treatment in which a radioactive source is put in contact with the tumor using a vaginal applicator. This means that the radiation does not pass through healthy organs to reach the target area, which limits side effects in healthy tissue while delivering a high dose.

This treatment requires the insertion of special equipment (hollow applicators) into the vagina. This procedure is performed at the CHEM under anesthesia. During brachytherapy treatment, these applicators are linked to a device called a source projector via transfer tubes. The radioactive source is projected successively into each applicator to irradiate the target area on contact.

Depending on your treatment plan, you may receive chemotherapy alongside your radiotherapy treatment. This treatment is provided at the Day Hospital, located on level 3 of the Centre François Baclesse.

Pain, stress, digestive problems, skin problems, fatigue, and loss of self-confidence can all be consequences of the disease. At the CFB, we aim to provide our patients with comprehensive support, combining conventional treatments with complementary therapeutic approaches.

Therefore, we offer our patients the opportunity to benefit from a range of proven support services designed to improve their physical, emotional, and social quality of life.

Low-energy laser

Mucositis and epidermitis are common side effects of local radiotherapy. The CFB offers patients suffering from these conditions low-energy laser treatments to reduce pain and improve their quality of life.

Aromatherapy

As part of breast radiotherapy treatment, patients are offered a blend of essential oils to complement the urea cream. Some essential oils are commonly used as radioprotective agents, while others have healing or soothing properties. Combined with vegetable or pure oils, essential oils help prevent and treat radiodermatitis.

Bach flowers

The concept of Bach flowers is based on the way flowers affect emotions. This method is based on a careful study of the properties of wild flowers and plants. After an hour-long consultation with the patient, a trained CFB practitioner will identify an emotion or character trait that needs to be "balanced" and select the appropriate floral blend to be administered in addition to the radiotherapy treatment.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis is now considered a complementary, non-medicinal therapeutic tool. In the context of cancer, it helps manage the physical side effects of radiotherapy (pain, nausea, hot flashes, fatigue, and sleep disorders, etc.) as well as emotional side effects (mood disorders, anxiety, depression).

Individual sessions last between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours, depending on the techniques used, and are provided by our trained caregivers (radiographers, nurses, or psychologists).

Onco-aesthetics

Onco-aesthetics aims to mitigate the side effects caused by radiotherapy (dry skin, brittle nails, hair and eyebrow loss), harmonize the patient's relationship with their body, and restore their self-esteem. Our qualified team offers individual consultations lasting 30 minutes to 1 hour and answers patients' questions about hygiene and makeup throughout their treatment.

Psycho-oncology

Our team also includes psychologists. Their work with cancer patients focuses mainly on stress and anxiety management, identifying resources, stabilization, learning progressive muscle relaxation, reducing hot flashes, and treating post-traumatic stress disorder.

An initial meeting with the psychologist is offered to patients and their loved ones at the start of treatment.

Diet

Some side effects of radiotherapy can cause difficulties with eating. Taste and smell may be altered or even disappear. Appetite decreases and diet may become unbalanced, which can also lead to increased fatigue in patients.

Upon request, patients can, receive nutritional advice from a dietitian who is available at the CFB one day a week.

Chaplaincy

Thanks to an agreement signed between the CFB and the Catholic Archdiocese of Luxembourg, patients will now have access to the Chaplaincy of the Emile Mayrisch Hospital and, if they wish, receive appropriate support from the pastoral team.

The chaplains are available to all patients and staff who feel the need, as well as their families, regardless of their professed or expressed faith.

They are available to listen to any requests and can refer patients to representatives of other religions or philosophies recognized in Luxembourg.

• 3 linear accelerators (2 HALCYONs and 1 ETHOS)
• 1 robotic linear accelerator (CYBERKNIFE)
• 1 scanner
• Dose planning system (TPS) :
• 1 HDR brachytherapy source projector (Iridium 192) (gynecology),
• 1 permanent iodine-125 radionuclide implantation device (prostate),
• 1 computer network for recording parameters (Record & Verify system).
• Patient pre-positioning system using an external surface camera SGRT