Clinical study of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with intracavitary brachytherapy in the treatment of cervical cancer

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcome and complications of cervical cancer patients undergoing conventional intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) treated with 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). Methods: Sixty cervical cancer patients were divided randomly into the conformal group and the conventional group. Thirty patients treated with 3D-conformal radiotherapy in the 3DCRT group, when the whole pelvic received DT 40 Gy, a planning CT scan of each patient was obtained and the second 3DCRT therapy plan was taken. Then, continued to irradiate to 50 Gy. At last, 3DCRT was boosted at local involved volumes to the total dose of 60 Gy. When 3DCRT was combined with intracavitary brachytherapy, the dose of brachytherapy to point A was 30 Gy/5 fractions. In the conventional group, after a total tumor dose of 40 Gy was delivered by the whole pelvic irradiation, the four-field technique was used to irradiate the total pelvic and regional nodes (median dose of 10 Gy), and the involved volumes were boosted to 60 Gy and the dose of brachytherapy to point A was 30 Gy-36 Gy/5-6 fractions. Moreover, both groups were combined with intracavitary brachytherapy respectively. Results: The 1, 2, 3-year survival rates for the 3DCRT group and the conventional group were 96.7%, 93.3%, 90.0% and 86.6%, 76.7%, 70% respectively (P = 0.04, P = 0.02 and P = 0.02). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Compared to the two groups each other in toxic effects, except for the I-II grade rectal and bladder reaction and pelvic fibrosis which was lower in the 3DCRT group (P = 0. 007, P = 0. 006 and P = 0. 015), the side effects were similar and well tolerated in two groups. Conclusion: The all-course 3DCRT combined with intracavitary brachytherapy can be considered as an effective and feasible approach to cervical cancer and may significantly improve the survival rate and reduce the late toxicity. This new role for 3DCRT merits need further evaluation with large patient numbers and longer follows up.

Clinical analysis on the analgesic effect of Methyl Carboprost and Diclofenac Sodium for intracavitary brachytherapy

Objective:To observe the effects of Methyl Carboprost and Diclofenac Sodium on opening orifice of uterus and pain controlling in patients with uterine cervix cancer (UCC) when receiving intracavitary brachytherapy. Methods: Sixty patients with UCC of stage IIA-IIIB were divided into three groups randomly before receiving the intracavitary brachytherapy: the patients in group A received Methyl Carboprost in the hind fornix of the vagina, group B received Diclofenac Sodium in the anus, while group C was the control group. Results: The painlessness rates in groups A, B and C were 89.9%, 91.3% and 36.4%, respectively. The incidences of patients with relaxed uterus cervix in groups A, B and C were 91.7%, 85.9% and 48.9%, respectively. Conclusion: Methyl Carboprost and Diclofenac Sodium are useful in relaxing uterus cervix and pain controlling in patients with UCC when receiving intracavitary brachytherapy.

Analysis of 80 Cases of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated by Intracavitary Brachytherapy Using A New-Type Applicator

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the results and complications associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma （NPC） treated with combined external-beam radiotherapy （EBR） and intracavitary brachytherapy （IB） using a new-type applicator. METHODS Eighty patients with untreated NPC were divided into two groups based on therapy methods. An experimental group was treated with EBR plus IB and a control group was treated only with EBR. IB was given to the patients of the experimental group when the external radiotherapy dose amounted to more than 60～65 Gy. The total dose of IB was 6～20 Gy and the total dose of EBR of the control group was 70～75 Gy. RESULTS Follow-up was conducted for 97.5% of the patients with re- suits as follows： the overall response rates （ORR） for the experimental and the control groups were 92.5% and 75.3% respectively （P〈0.05）; the 3 and 5-year survival rates for the experimental group were 87.5% and 74.2% and for the control group, 65.0% and 55.6% （P〈0.05）; for the experimental group, the 3 and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 72.5% and 64.5% and for the control group, 60.0% and 52.8% （P〉0.05）.Some complications following radiotherapy showed a significant difference. CONCLUSION External irradiation plus intracavitary brachytherapy using a new-type applicator may improve the ORR and survival rates, reduce radiation complications and increase the quality of life.