USE OF NEEDLES IN IRRADIATION OF GYNECOLOGICAL TUMORS

Abstract

Introduction. Methods of irradiation of cervical cancer and other localizations in gynecology are constantly being improved. This is especially true for brachytherapy.

Methods. New applicators are being created, new types of normalization are being introduced, irradiation zones are identified, to which it is recommended to apply different doses of irradiation, recommendations for irradiation of critical organs are changing, and priorities are being set in the irradiation process.

Results. If more modern applicators are unavailable, additional introduction of needles freehand solves the problem of better irradiation of the pathological area.

Conclusions. It is important to note that in some cases, such as vaginal scar recurrence, vulvar cancer, primary and secondary vaginal lesions, and rectal cancer with vaginal invasion, external beam radiotherapy is not effective. In such cases, intratissue brachytherapy using needles plays a key role in providing local control and improving treatment outcomes. Thus, the use of needles in brachytherapy is critical to achieving therapeutic goals and improving patients’ quality of life.

References

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Schmid, M.P., Fokdal L., Westerveld, H. et al. (2020). Recommendations from gynaecological (GYN) GEC-ESTRO working group – ACROP: Target concept for image guided adaptive brachytherapy in primary vaginal cancer. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 145, 36–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2019.11.005