High-dose-rate brachytherapy alone post-hysterectomy for endometrial cancer

Dosimetric Effects of Air Pockets Around High–Dose Rate Brachytherapy Vaginal Cylinders

“…Vaginal relapse rates in postoperative endometrial carcinoma patients receiving vaginal vault brachytherapy have been found to be as high as 18% (10), although other published rates of treatment failure in the vaginal cuff are 5% or less (11)(12)(13). One possible cause of the relapse is that the target volume does not receive the prescribed dose because of the presence of the air pockets.…”

An analysis of simulation for adjuvant intracavitary high-dose-rate brachytherapy in early-stage endometrial cancer

“…This may be due to a number of reasons. For example, many studies report only acute (17,18) or long-term toxicities (23) or had short followup (21,26). Additionally, there is a lack of consistency within the literature in reported toxicity as some studies report toxicity as the number of patients affected while others report toxicities without regard to the number of patients.…”

Contemporary Quality of Life Issues Affecting Gynecologic Cancer Survivors

“…54 These findings suggest that early stage endometrial cancer patients can avoid the high morbidity associated with EBRT by receiving HDIVRT. 52 The PORTEC-2 Trial did confirm, however, that HDIVRT patients experience vaginal toxicities (dryness, tightening, and shortened vagina) and dyspareunia. The paucity of data regarding the influence of these side effects on sexual function, survivorship, and QOL was noted by the authors.…”

“…49–52 The Postoperative Radiation Therapy in Endometrial Carcinoma (PORTEC) study showed that HDIVRT was effective in vaginal disease control, with fewer toxicities and better QOL than EBRT. 41,53 Other studies comparing EBRT with HDIVRT have reported excellent recurrence-free and overall survival rates.…”