Purpose:

Brachytherapy is a well-established modality in oncology, particularly for prostate and cervical cancers, offering precise radiation delivery while sparing healthy tissues. Despite its clinical benefits, the research trajectory of brachytherapy in clinical trials remains underexplored. This bibliometric analysis aimed to assess publication trends, research focus areas, and citation impact of prospective clinical trials on brachytherapy.

Material and methods:

A bibliometric analysis was conducted using Web of Science database. Clinical trials were identified with key words “brachytherapy” and “prospective”, without time restrictions. Bibliometric parameters analyzed included year of publication, journal distribution, authorship, institutional and geographical contributions, citation metrics, and disease focus.

Results:

A total of 84 clinical trials published between 1982 and 2024 were analyzed. The United States was the leading contributor (44.0%). Prostate cancer was the most frequently studied malignancy (35.7%), followed by breast (15.5%) and gynecologic cancers (13.1%). The “International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics” published the most trials. Citation analysis showed significant differences among cancer types, with soft tissue sarcoma studies having the highest median citation count (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

While clinical trial research in brachytherapy has expanded over time, notable disparities in research intensity and citation impact exist among disease sites. Greater attention to underrepresented malignancies, along with sustained investment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhanced training, is needed to advance the role of brachytherapy in cancer care.