• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.137-140
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• 1987

In brachytherapy of uterine conical cancer using a high dose rate remote afterloading system, it is of prime importance to deliver a accurate dose in each fractionated treatment by minimizing the difference between the pre-treatment planned and post-treatment calculated doses. The post-treatment calculated point A dose was not much different from the pretreatment planned dose (500 cGy). The $average{\pm}standard$ deviation was $500\pm18cGy$ and 84 percent of 82 intracavitary radiotherapy was within the range of $500\pm25cGy$.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.143-148
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• 1993

From September 1985 through September 1989,56 patients with stage IIIB carcinoma of the cervix were treated with radiation therapy with curative aim. The overall survival at 5 year was $38{\%}$. The survival rate was better for patients treated with combined external radiotherapy and high dose rate intracavitary radiotherapy than with external radiotherapy alone. No significant survival difference was observed between the unilateral and bilateral parametrial extension of the tumor Seventeen patients experienced recurrence within the irradiated field with a loco-regional recurrence rate of $30{\%}$. Ten patients had complications ($18{\%}$). The complications were mild in three, moderate in four, and severe in three patients. A study was made on the relationship between the fraction numbers of intracavitary radiotherapy, vaginal packing and the complication rate, respectively. In this analysis author observed that the significant treatment factor influencing the survival of cervical cancer was the use of intracavitary radiation, and meticulous vaginal packing could decrease the late complication rate of radiotherapy of cervical cancer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.357-366
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• 1998

Brachytherapy is an essential part of radiotherapy for uterine cervical cancer. The low dose rate (LDR) regimen has been the major technique of intracavitary therapy for cervical cancer. However, there has been an expansion in the last 20 years of high dose rate (HDR) machines using Ir-192 sources. Since 1979, HDR brachytherapy has been used for the treatment of uterine cervical cancer in Korea. The number of institutions employing HDR has been increasing, while the number of low dose rate system has been constant. In 1995, there was a total 27 HDR brachytherapy units installed and 1258 cases of patients with cervical cancer were treated with HDR Most common regimens of HDR brachytherapy are total dose of 30-39 Gy at point A with 10-13 fractions in three fractions per week. 24-32 Gy with 6-8 fractions in two fractions per week, and 30-35 Gy with 6-7 fractions in two fractions per week. The average fractionation regimen of HDR brachytherapy is about 8 fractions of 4.1 Gy each to Point A. In Korea, treatment results for HDR brachytherapy are comparable with the LDR series and appears to be a safe and effective alternative to LDR therapy for the treatment of cervical carcinoma. Studies from the major centers report the five-year survival rate of cervical cancer as. 78-86$\%$ for Stage 1, 68-85$\%$ for stage 11, and 38-56$\%$ for Stage III. World-wide questionnaire study and Japanese questionnaire survey of multiple institutions showed no survival difference in any stages and dose-rate effect ratio (HDR/LDR) was calculated to be 0.54 to 0.58. However the optimum treatment doses and fractionation schemes appropriate to generate clinical results comparable to conventional LDR schemes have yet to be standardized. In conclusion, HDR intracavitary radiotherapy is increasingly practiced in Korea and an effective treatment modality for cervical cancer. To determine the optimum radiotherapy dose and fractionation schedule, a nation-wide prospective study is necessary in Korea. In addition, standardization of HDR application (clinical, computer algorithms, and dosimetric aspects) is necessary.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.81-83
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• 1989

This study, involving thirty-two patients with carcinoma of uterine cervix treated by high dose rate intracavitary irradiation using a remotely controlled afterloading system, compares the doss at point A and 8 with the Curie-minutes prescription. A linear least-square regression analysis was used to compare the two sets of date. Correlation coefficients between doses at points A and B and the Ci-min prescription are 0.92 (p<0.001) and 0.90 (p<0.001), respectively, and linear relationship is observed between these two system. The limitation and significance of the comparison of the two approaches to intracavitary dosimetry is discussed.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.183-186
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• 1986

In brachytherapy of uterine cervical cancer using the high dose rate remote afterloading system, it is of prime importance to determine the position of the radiation sources and to estimate the irradiation time. However, calculation with manual method is so time consuming and laborious, that authors designed a software as an aid to intracavitary radiotherapy Planning using the personal computer to obtain the precision of treatment without being too complicated for routine use. Optimal source arrangement in combination with dose rate at each specific points and irradiation time can be easily determined using this software in several minutes.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.261-270
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• 1984

The intrauterine irradiation is essential to achieve adequate tumor dose to central tumor mass of uterine malignancy in radiotherapy. The complications of pelvic organ are known to be directly related to radiation dose and physical parameters. The simulation radiation and medical records of 203 patients who were treated with intrauterine irradiation from Feb. 1983 to Oct. 1983, were critically analized. The physical parameters to include distances between lateral walls of vaginal fornices, longitudinal and lateral angles of tandem applicator to the body axis, the distance from the external os of uterine cervix to the central axis of ovoids were measured for low dose rate irradiation system and high dose rate remote control afterloading system. The radiation doses and dose distributions within cervical area including interesting points and bladder, rectum, according to sources arrangement and location of applicator, were estimated with personal computer. Followings were summary of study results ; 1. In distances between lateral walls of vaginal fornices, the low dose rate system showed as $4\~7cm$ width and high dose rate system showed as $5\~6cm$. 2. In horizontal angulation of tandem to body axis, the low dose rate system revealed mid position$64.6\%$, left deviation $19.2\%$and right deviation $16.2\%$. 3. In longitudinal angulation of tandem to body axis, the mid position was $11.8\%$ and anterior angulation $88.2\%$ in low dose rate system but in high dose rate system, anterior angulation was $98.5\%$. 4. Down ward displacement of ovoids below external os was only $3\%$ in low dose rate system and $66.7\%$ in high dose rate system. 5. In radiation source arrangement, the most activities of tandem and ovoid were 35 by 30 in low dose rate system but 50 by 40 in high dose rate system. 6. In low and high dose rate system, the total doses an4 TDF were 50, 70 Gy and 141, 123, including 40 Gy external irradiation. 7. The doses and TDF in interesting points Co, B, were 93, 47 Gy and 230, 73 in high dose rate system but in low doss rate system, 123, 52 Gy and 262, 75 respectively. 8. Doses and TDF in bladder and rectum were 70, 68 Gy and 124, 120 in low dose rate system, but in high dose rate system, 58, 64 Gy 98, 110 respectively, and then grades of injuries in bladder and rectum were 25, $30\%$ and 18, $23\%$ respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.70-78
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• 1985

The intrauterine irradiation is essential to achieve adequate tumor dose to centeral tumor mass in radio therapy for uterine malignancy. The complications of pelvic organ are known to be directly related to radiation dose and physical parameters. The comparison study of currently using 2 systems was undertaken. The simulation films and medical records of 135 patients who was treated with intrauterine irradiation at one of general hospitals in Busan and Seoul between Jan. 1983 and June 1983, were critically analized and physical parameters of low dose rate system and remote controlled high dose rate system were measured. The physical parameters include distances between lateral walls of vaginal fornices, longitudinal and lateral angles of tandem to the body axis, the distance from the external os of uterine cervix to the central axis of ovoids, the radiation dose ratio to rectum and bladder to reference point A. Followings were summary of study results: 1. In distances between lateral walls of vaginal fornices the low dose rate system showed wide distribution and relatively larger distances. In low dose rate system 5.0-5.9 cm was $55.89\%$ 6.0-6.9 cm: $23.53\%$, 4.0-4.9cm: $10.29\%$, 3.0-3.9cm: $10.29\%$, and in high dose rate system 5.0-5.9cm was $80.59\%$, 4.0-4.9cm: $17.91\%$, $6.0\~6.9\;cm:\;1.5\%$. 2. In lateral angulation of tandem to body axis, the low does system revealed mid position (the position along body axis) $64.7\%$, Lt. deviation $19.13\%$ and Rt. deviation $16.17\%$. However the high dose rate system revealed mid position $49.26\%$ Lt. deviation $40.29\%$ and Rt. deviation $10.45\%$. 3. In longitudinal angulation of tandem to body axis the mid position was $11.77\%$ and anterior angulation $88.23\%$ in low dose rate system but in high dose rate system the mid position was $1.56\%$ and anterior angulation $98.44\%$. 4. Down ward displacement of ovoids below external os was only $2.94\%$ in low dose rate system and $67.69\%$ in high dose rate system. 5. The radiation dose ration to rectum to reference point A was $102.70\%$ in high dose rate system and $70.09\%$ in low dose rate system. The dose ratio to bladder to reference point A was $78.14\%$ in high dose rate system and $75.32\%$ in low dose rate system.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.129-137
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• 1984

In brachytherapy, it is important to determine the positions of the radiation sources which are inserted into a patient and to estimate the dose resulting from the treatment. Calculation of the dose distribution throughout an implant is so laborious that it is rarely done by manual methods except for model cases. It is possible to calculate isodose distributions and tumor doses for individual patients by the use of a microcomputer. In this program, the dose rate and dose distributions are calculated by numerical integration of point source and the localization of radiation sources are obtained from two radiographs at right angles taken by a simulator developed for the treatment planning. By using microcomputer for brachytherapy, we obtained the result as following 1. Dose calculation and irradiation time for tumor could be calculated under one or five seconds after input data. 2. It was same value under$\pm2\%$ error between dose calculation by computer program and measurement dose. 3. It took about five minutes to reconstruct completely dose distribution for intracavitary irradiation. 4. Calculating by computer made remarkly reduction of dose errors compared with Quimby's calculation in interstitial radiation implantation. 5. It could calculate the biological isoffect dose for high and low dose rate activities.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.231-239
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• 1990

From May 1979 through December 1981 a total of 524 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix were treated by radiation therapy with curative intent. Among the 524 patients, 350 were treated with a high-dose-rate (HDR), remote-controlled, afterloading intracavitary irradiation (ICR) system using a cobalt source (Ralstron), and 168 patients received a low-dose-rate (LDR) ICR using a radium source. External beam irradiation with a total dose of 40-50 Gy to the whole pelvis followed by intracavitary irradiation with a total dose of 30-39 Gy in 10-13 fractions to point A was the treatment protocol. ICR was given three times a week with a dose of 3 Gy per fraction. Five-year actuarial survival rates in the HDR-ICR group were $77.6{\%}$ in stage IB (N=20), $68.2{\%}$ in stage II (N=182), and $50.9{\%}$ in stage III (N=148). In LDR-ICR group, 5-year survival rates were $87.5{\%}$ in stage IB (N=22), $66.3{\%}$ in stage II (N=91), and $55.4{\%}$ in stage III (N=52). Survival rates showed a statistically significant difference by stage, but there was no significant difference between the two ICR groups. Late bowel complications after radiotherapy were noted in $3.7{\%}$ of the HDR-ICR group and $8.4{\%}$ of the LDR-ICR group. There was no severe complication requiring surgical management. The incidence of bladder complications was $1.4{\%}$ in the HDR-ICR group and $2.4{\%}$ in the LDR-ICR group. The application of HDR-ICR was technically simple and easily performed on an outpatient basis without anesthesia, and the patients tolerated it very well. Radiation exposure to personnel was virtually nil in contrast to that of LDR-ICR. Within a given period of time, more patients can be treated with HDR-ICR because of the short treatment time. Therefore, the HDR-ICR system is highly recommended for a cancer center, particularly one with a large number of patients to be treated. In order to achieve an improved outcome, however, the optimum dose-fractionation schedule of HDR-ICR and optimum combination of intracavitary irradiation with external beam irradiation should be determined through an extensive protocol.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare plans prescribed to point A with these prescribed to point H recommended by ABS (American Brachytherapy Society) in high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical carcinoma. Materials and Methods: This study selected 103 patients who received HDR (High Dose Rate) brachytherapy using tandem and ovoids from March 2010 to January 2012. Point A, bladder point, and rectal point conform with Manchester System. Point H conforms with ABS recommendation. Also Sigmoid colon point, and vagina point were established arbitrarily. We examined distance between point A and point H. The percent dose at point A was calculated when 100% dose was prescribed to point H. Additionally, the percent dose at each reference points when dose is prescribed to point H and point A were calculated. Results: The relative dose at point A was lower when point H was located inferior to point A. The relative doses at bladder, rectal, sigmoid colon, and vagina points were higher when point H was located superior to point A, and lower when point H was located inferior to point A. Conclusion: This study found out that as point H got located much superior to point A, the absorbed dose of surrounding normal organs became higher, and as point H got located much inferior to point A, the absorbed dose of surrounding normal organs became lower. This differences dose not seem to affect the treatment. However, we suggest this new point is worth being considered for the treatment of HDR if dose distribution and absorbed dose at normal organs have large differences between prescribed to point A and H.