Invivo Dosimetry for Treatment of Cancer of the Cervix
The treatment of uterine cervical neoplasms with intra-cavitary applications of radioisotopes has been practiced widely for the past half century. An overwhelming conclusion has emerged: if performed accurately these treatments may be very worthwhile, otherwise acute complications ensue. It has been observed that often the intracavitary applications are the source of excessive irradiation due to inaccurate placement of sources and improper choice of source activities. The ensuing complications are most often cystitis of the bladder, proctitis of the rectum and or fistulae in the vagina, bladder and rectum. Furthermore, if inaccurately performed, intracavitary applications will not result in irradiation of the tumor to the required dose. For all these reasons, it is very important to verify the dose distribution within the patient treated with intracavitary applications of radioactive sources. The best proven method of such verification is through measurement of dose rates along the rectum and if possible the bladder.