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plaque radiotherapy

(plak RAY-dee-oh-THAYR-uh-pee)
A type of radiation therapy used to treat eye tumors. A thin piece of metal (usually gold) with radioactive seeds placed on one side is sewn onto the outside wall of the eye with the seeds aimed at the tumor. It is removed at the end of treatment, which usually lasts for several days.
Drawing of a cross-section of the eye showing the sclera, choroid, retina, and optic nerve. An inset shows a plaque with radioactive seeds that is placed on the outside of the eye. The seeds are aimed at the cancer.Enlarge this image in new window
Plaque radiotherapy is a type of radiation therapy used to treat eye cancer. Radioactive seeds are attached to one side of a thin piece of metal (usually gold) called a plaque. The plaque is sewn onto the outside wall of the eye near the tumor. The seeds give off radiation which kills the cancer. The plaque is removed at the end of treatment, which usually lasts for several days.
Search NCI's Dictionary of Cancer Terms