Saving...

For cervical cancer, in what situations are radium implants in the vagina part of treatment protocol? Can you describe how it's done?

Cancel

Topics (Tags):

Radiation Therapy Cervical Cancer Radiation Oncology Radium Implants

Topics:

Radiation Therapy X Cervical Cancer X Radiation Oncology X Radium Implants X

Done

Diseases:

Cervical Cancer

Diseases:

Cervical Cancer

Done

Answers (1)

MattKatzMD (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified) ) - 02 / 28 / 2012

Good question, complex answer. I'll do my best.

In early stage cervical cancer, surgery is often possible but sometimes an organ-preserving approach is preferable and radiation can be used alone. In more advanced disease, surgery isn't possible but cure still is, so radiation is combined often with chemotherapy.

In these cases, radiation can be given partly with external x-rays, but to focus the dose some internal radiation treatment is also given. Usually, this is intracavitary brachytherapy (meaning close treatment in a cavity) by placing radioactive sources into the vagina, cervix and uterus.

Historically, radium was used. In the past 20 years, most of the brachytherapy has been with Cesium-137. Treatment required going to the operating room to place the applicator that would hold the radioactive sources, then determining how much Cesium to place internally for a period of 2-3 days while hospitalized. This is often referred to as LDR (low dose rate) brachytherapy because it's delivered slowly over time.

More recently there has been a move toward pulsed doses of HDR (high dose rate) brachytherapy with an Ir-192 source. This seems to be an equally effective approach with more radiation safety than LDR, but there are supporters for both approaches. The treatments are short but often more internal treatments are needed with HDR.

Good question, complex answer.  I'll do my best.

In early stage cervical cancer, surgery is often possible but sometimes an organ-preserving approach is preferable and radiation can be used alone.  In more advanced disease, surgery isn't possible but cure still is, so radiation is combined often with chemotherapy.

In these cases, radiation can be given partly with external x-rays, but to focus the dose some internal radiation treatment is also given.  Usually, this is intracavitary brachytherapy (meaning close treatment in a cavity) by placing radioactive sources into the vagina, cervix and uterus.

Historically, radium was used.  In the past 20 years, most of the brachytherapy has been with Cesium-137.  Treatment required going to the operating room to place the applicator that would hold the radioactive sources, then determining how much Cesium to place internally for a period of 2-3 days while hospitalized.  This is often referred to as LDR (low dose rate) brachytherapy because it's delivered slowly over time.

More recently there has been a move toward pulsed doses of HDR (high dose rate) brachytherapy with an Ir-192 source.  This seems to be an equally effective approach with more radiation safety than LDR, but there are supporters for both approaches.  The treatments are short but often more internal treatments are needed with HDR.

Cancel

Note: Usernames have been made anonymous and profile images are not shown to protect the privacy of our members.

Note: All content on this site is informational and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with questions regarding your health.

Flag Content

Please expain why you are flagging this content. Thank you.

Cancel

Thank you for flagging this content. We will look into it right away.

Give a 'Thank you' to

Cancel

Add Answer

Question:

Optional: What context or background information is relevant to this request?

Notes:
The more clear and thorough your request, the more likely you will receive support.
Many of our members are learning from this information or english might not be their first language. Please use standard english and spell out all words. For example, use 'you' instead of 'u'.

Submit

Thank you for sharing your question.

We will notify other members of your question. Responses will be sent to your email account as well as viewable at the following link:

We are finding other members now to join the chat.

Click here to start the chat.

Cancer questions and answers.

Personalized, helpful, and accurate health answers.

Join Via Facebook

Join Via Twitter

Question Statistics

Latest Activity: 02 / 28 / 2012
Views: 295
Followed By: 2 members