Abstract
Using hysterectomy specimens obtained 1 month after Cf-252 neutron brachytherapy plus fractionated radiotherapy, we determined the fraction of positive and negative specimens with neutron dose for bulky Stage IB cervical cancers. The specimens obtained and studied after an initial Cf-252 insertion when the sources were newer and less decayed were more frequently negative for histological evidence of cancer than after the sources had decayed and 2 insertions were needed. After two insertions to deliver a therapeutic dose preoperatively the specimens were more frequently positive. When a larger initial dose was delivered to the tumor a larger proportion of negative specimens was noted. The size of neutron dose fraction was important to local tumor clearance and to rendering the specimens negative as well as schedule in use.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1473-1478 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 1987 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:plant and some received 2 implants. The selection was not made in a randomized way but was based upon source activity, arbitrarily prescribed dose and radioactive decay of the Cf sources. Initially, sources were active enough to deliver - 1000 rad equivalents (req) in a single session in a period of -8 hr. With decay, more than a single insertion was required to deliver a therapeutic dose and so 2 insertions were necessary. With this change in method, the size of the dose per session decreased. To compensate for the reduced dose per insertion, a greater dose was given. All the patients had an extrafascial hysterectomy done 4-6 weeks after the completion of radiotherapy. The resected specimens were carefully studied for the presence of residual tumor.4,15 The specimens were scored as positive or negative for histological presence of tumor. In an effort to determine whether the single implant or the two implant technique was more effective, we analyzed the doses of neutrons and total dose delivered to the tumor volume and correlated it with later positive or negative histological status.” The purpose of this report is to describe our observations and United States Department of Energy. A research grant for the clinical studies (*PDT-222B) was received from the American Cancer Society. John R. van Nagell was recipient of the American Cancer Clinical Professor Award and Holly H. Gallion was an American Cancer Society Career Awardee. We thank Mrs. Angela Sandifer for expert clerical assistance. Accepted for publication 23 April 1987.
Keywords
- Cervix
- Cf-252
- Histology
- Neutron brachytherapy
- Number implants
- Pre-operative
