[The preliminary report of cervical cancer treated with californium-252 neutron after loading intracavitary radiotherapy].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the therapeutic effectiveness and complications of californium-252 (252Cf) brachytherapy in cervical cancer.


METHODS
Fifty one cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed according to the standard of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), II a:8 cases, II b:31 cases, III a:8 cases, III b:4 cases. Treatment schedule: 252Cf after loading brachytherapy, 10-12 Gy/fraction/week, the total dose of reference point A was 36-40 Gy in three to four implant sessions. In the second day after 252Cf therapy, the whole pelvis was treated with 6 MV X-ray external beam radiotherapy, 200 cGy per fraction, 4 times per week. The total dose of external beam radiotherapy was 40 to 50 Gy (the middle of pelvis was blocked at width of 4 cm after 20-30 Gy), then the total dose of reference point B was 50-55 Gy;the total treatment time was 5-6 weeks.


RESULTS
The average time of complete tumor regression was 25 days, the local control rate of 2 year was 100%, the total 2 year survival rate was 92%, i.e., II a: 8/8 cases, II b: 30/31 cases (97%), III a: 6/8 cases, III b: 3/4 cases; the late radiation complications of bladder and rectum was 2% respectively during these 2 years.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that combined 252 Cf brachytherapy and high energy X-ray external beam radiotherapy may be safe and effective in the management of cervical cancer. 252Cf has advantages of high local control rate; rapidly regression of bulky tumors and low-grade radiation complications.
Luo
G
G
Department of Radiation Oncology, Research Institute of Field Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
Zheng
C
C
Shan
J
J
D001918:Brachytherapy; D002142:Californium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D011868:Radioisotopes; D002142:Californium