A report of late rectosigmoid morbidity in patients with advanced cancer of the cervix, treated by a six week pelvic brick technique.
An increased incidence of late rectosigmoid complications, with no improvement in local control, was observed after the introduction of a 6 week technique of external beam pelvic irradiation (55.0 Gy in 30 fractions) in Edinburgh. This increase in morbidity did not appear to be related to the use of a single intracavitary caesium insertion or to the introduction of a Selectron for remote afterloading. A 5% dose reduction was subsequently instituted.
D001918:Brachytherapy; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012007:Rectum / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*