title: Two-year results of transabdominal ultrasound-guided brachytherapy for cervical cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the preliminary results of transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS)-guided brachytherapy (BT) in cervical cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine patients with cervical cancer Stage IB-IVA according to The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging were treated by radical radiotherapy from February 2012 to December 2012. Treatment was composed of WPRT to 50 Gy in 25 fractions and central shielding after 44 Gy in combination with TAUS-guided BT to optimize the total dose (equivalent dose of 2 Gy [EQD2]) to the minimal dose at cervical points (in EQD2 concepts) defined by TAUS ≥80 Gy while maintaining low doses to the ICRU report no. 38 bladder and rectal points. The treatment results and toxicity profiles were reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At median followup time of 19 months (range, 17-27), the local control and disease-free survival rates were 93.1% and 86.2%, respectively. One episode of Grade 3 vaginal toxicity was observed in this followup period. The mean applied doses to cervix, bladder, and rectal points were 82.6, 72.5, and 75 Gy, respectively. TAUS-guided planning reduced bladder (defined as >80 Gy in EQD2) and rectal overdose (defined as >75 Gy in EQD2) in 44.9% and 34.5% of patients, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 2-year results demonstrate that TAUS-guided BT is feasible and associated with excellent tumor control/toxicity rates in cervical cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Electronic address: paan_31@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ekkasit
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tharavichitkul
authors.affiliation: Division of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Damrongsak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tippanya
authors.affiliation: Division of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Rungtip
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jayavasti
authors.affiliation: Division of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Somvilai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chakrabandhu
authors.affiliation: Division of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pitchayaponne
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Klunklin
authors.affiliation: Division of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wimrak
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Onchan
authors.affiliation: Division of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Somsak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wanwilairat
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Christian-Albrecht-University, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Razvan M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Galalae
authors.affiliation: Division of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Imjai
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chitapanarux
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D061089:Radiotherapy, Image-Guided / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Brachytherapy; Cervical cancer; Transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS)