title: Potential for gain in the use of proton beam boost to the para-aortic lymph nodes in carcinoma of the cervix.
abstract: The management of para-aortic lymph nodes (PALN) in carcinoma of the cervix by surgery and adequate conventional radiotherapy (55 Gy +) is associated with an unacceptably high incidence of major morbidity (greater than 30%) discouraging this therapy. The addition of a proton boost to photon treatment will permit the delivery of 60 to 70 Gy to PALN with a morbidity expected to be equal to that observed with 45 Gy photons (13%). The potential for improved control rates at the increased dose may be of the order of 10 to 20% depending on the initial stage of disease. Suitable selection criteria may increase this further in some subgroups.
authors.affiliation: National Accelerator Centre, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: C V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D011522:Protons; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*
chemical_list: D011522:Protons