• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.357-366
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• 1998

Brachytherapy is an essential part of radiotherapy for uterine cervical cancer. The low dose rate (LDR) regimen has been the major technique of intracavitary therapy for cervical cancer. However, there has been an expansion in the last 20 years of high dose rate (HDR) machines using Ir-192 sources. Since 1979, HDR brachytherapy has been used for the treatment of uterine cervical cancer in Korea. The number of institutions employing HDR has been increasing, while the number of low dose rate system has been constant. In 1995, there was a total 27 HDR brachytherapy units installed and 1258 cases of patients with cervical cancer were treated with HDR Most common regimens of HDR brachytherapy are total dose of 30-39 Gy at point A with 10-13 fractions in three fractions per week. 24-32 Gy with 6-8 fractions in two fractions per week, and 30-35 Gy with 6-7 fractions in two fractions per week. The average fractionation regimen of HDR brachytherapy is about 8 fractions of 4.1 Gy each to Point A. In Korea, treatment results for HDR brachytherapy are comparable with the LDR series and appears to be a safe and effective alternative to LDR therapy for the treatment of cervical carcinoma. Studies from the major centers report the five-year survival rate of cervical cancer as. 78-86$\%$ for Stage 1, 68-85$\%$ for stage 11, and 38-56$\%$ for Stage III. World-wide questionnaire study and Japanese questionnaire survey of multiple institutions showed no survival difference in any stages and dose-rate effect ratio (HDR/LDR) was calculated to be 0.54 to 0.58. However the optimum treatment doses and fractionation schemes appropriate to generate clinical results comparable to conventional LDR schemes have yet to be standardized. In conclusion, HDR intracavitary radiotherapy is increasingly practiced in Korea and an effective treatment modality for cervical cancer. To determine the optimum radiotherapy dose and fractionation schedule, a nation-wide prospective study is necessary in Korea. In addition, standardization of HDR application (clinical, computer algorithms, and dosimetric aspects) is necessary.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7167-7170
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• 2015

Background: Although 3D image based brachytherapy is currently the standard of treatment in cervical cancer, most of the centres in developing countries still practice orthogonal intracavitary brachytherapy due to financial constraints. The quest for optimum dose and fractionation schedule in high dose rate (HDR) intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) is still ongoing. While the American Brachytherapy Society recommends four to eight fractions of each less than 7.5 Gy, there are some studies demonstrating similar efficacy and comparable toxicity with higher doses per fraction. Objective: To assess the treatment efficacy and late complications of HDR ICBT with 9 Gy per fraction in two fractions. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective institutional study in Southern India carried on from $1^{st}$ June 2012 to $31^{st}$ July 2014. In this period, 76 patients of cervical cancer satisfying our inclusion criteria were treated with concurrent chemo-radiation following ICBT with 9 Gy per fraction in two fractions, five to seven days apart. Results: The median follow-up period in the study was 24 months (range 10.6 - 31.2 months). The 2 year actuarial local control rate, disease-free survival and overall survival were 88.1%, 84.2% and 81.8% respectively. Although 38.2% patients suffered from late toxicity, only 3 patients had grade III late toxicity. Conclusions: In our experience, HDR brachytherapy with 9 Gy per fraction in two fractions is an effective dose fractionation for the treatment of cervical cancer with acceptable toxicity.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.137-140
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• 1987

In brachytherapy of uterine conical cancer using a high dose rate remote afterloading system, it is of prime importance to deliver a accurate dose in each fractionated treatment by minimizing the difference between the pre-treatment planned and post-treatment calculated doses. The post-treatment calculated point A dose was not much different from the pretreatment planned dose (500 cGy). The $average{\pm}standard$ deviation was $500\pm18cGy$ and 84 percent of 82 intracavitary radiotherapy was within the range of $500\pm25cGy$.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.183-186
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• 1986

In brachytherapy of uterine cervical cancer using the high dose rate remote afterloading system, it is of prime importance to determine the position of the radiation sources and to estimate the irradiation time. However, calculation with manual method is so time consuming and laborious, that authors designed a software as an aid to intracavitary radiotherapy Planning using the personal computer to obtain the precision of treatment without being too complicated for routine use. Optimal source arrangement in combination with dose rate at each specific points and irradiation time can be easily determined using this software in several minutes.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 2000

Purpose: This study was aimed to develop a new vaginal applicator(Shin's Applicator) for 2-channel high-dose rate vaginal brachytherapy to evaluate uniformity of surface dose, and to present 3-dimensional dose distribution of the applicator. Methods: Shin's Applicator was inexpensively constructed using human soft tissue equivalent acrylic bar. We evaluated dose uniformity along the applicator surface using film densitometer and performed vaginal intracavitary brachytherapy after insertion of the applicator using HDR brachytherapy planning software and brachytherapy unit(Ralstron-20B). Results: Shin's Applicator allows improved dose distribution than the existing 1-channel cylinder and achieves diminished urinary bladder and rectal dose by 20%. Conclusions: From the above results, it can be concluded that Shin's Applicator may be an improved form of a vaginal applicator. Furthermore, it can be suggested that this applicator has an advantage, for it prevents vaginal stenosis after radiation therapy and can be used as a disposable vaginal dilator. Further follow up examination with radiological study may be helpful to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of this applicator.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.129-137
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• 1984

In brachytherapy, it is important to determine the positions of the radiation sources which are inserted into a patient and to estimate the dose resulting from the treatment. Calculation of the dose distribution throughout an implant is so laborious that it is rarely done by manual methods except for model cases. It is possible to calculate isodose distributions and tumor doses for individual patients by the use of a microcomputer. In this program, the dose rate and dose distributions are calculated by numerical integration of point source and the localization of radiation sources are obtained from two radiographs at right angles taken by a simulator developed for the treatment planning. By using microcomputer for brachytherapy, we obtained the result as following 1. Dose calculation and irradiation time for tumor could be calculated under one or five seconds after input data. 2. It was same value under$\pm2\%$ error between dose calculation by computer program and measurement dose. 3. It took about five minutes to reconstruct completely dose distribution for intracavitary irradiation. 4. Calculating by computer made remarkly reduction of dose errors compared with Quimby's calculation in interstitial radiation implantation. 5. It could calculate the biological isoffect dose for high and low dose rate activities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6115-6120
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• 2014

Background: To compare the KKU-model rectal tube (KKU-tube) and the conventional rectal tube (CRT) for checking rectal doses during high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDR-ICBT) of cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Between February 2010 and January 2011, thirty -two patients with cervical cancer were enrolled and treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT). The KKU-tube and CRT were applied intrarectally in the same patients at alternate sessions as references for calculation of rectal doses during ICBT. The gold standard references of rectum anatomical markers which are most proximal to radiation sources were anterior rectal walls (ARW) adjacent to the uterine cervix demonstrated by barium sulfate suspension enema. The calculated rectal doses derived from actual anterior rectal walls, CRT and the anterior surfaces of the KKU-tubes were compared by using the paired t-test. The pain caused by insertion of each type of rectal tube was assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: The mean dose of CRT was lower than the mean dose of ARW ($Dmean_0-Dmean_1$) by $80.55{\pm}47.33cGy$ (p-value <0.05). The mean dose of the KKU-tube was lower than the mean dose of ARW ($Dmean_0-Dmean_2$) by $30.82{\pm}24.20cGy$ (p-value <0.05). The mean dose difference [($Dmean_0-Dmean_1$)-($Dmean_0-Dmean_2$)] was $49.72{\pm}51.60cGy$, which was statistically significant between 42.32 cGy -57.13 cGy with the t-value of 13.24 (p-value <0.05). The maximum rectal dose by using CRT was higher than the KKU-tube as much as 75.26 cGy and statistically significant with the t-score of 7.55 (p-value <0.05). The mean doses at the anterior rectal wall while using the CRTs and the KKU-tubes were not significantly different (p-value=0.09). The mean pain score during insertion of the CRT was significantly higher than the KKU-tube by a t-score of 6.15 (p-value <0.05) Conclusions: The KKU-model rectal tube was found to be an easily producible, applicable and reliable instrument as a reference for evaluating the rectal dose during ICBT of cervical cancer without negative effects on the patients.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare plans prescribed to point A with these prescribed to point H recommended by ABS (American Brachytherapy Society) in high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical carcinoma. Materials and Methods: This study selected 103 patients who received HDR (High Dose Rate) brachytherapy using tandem and ovoids from March 2010 to January 2012. Point A, bladder point, and rectal point conform with Manchester System. Point H conforms with ABS recommendation. Also Sigmoid colon point, and vagina point were established arbitrarily. We examined distance between point A and point H. The percent dose at point A was calculated when 100% dose was prescribed to point H. Additionally, the percent dose at each reference points when dose is prescribed to point H and point A were calculated. Results: The relative dose at point A was lower when point H was located inferior to point A. The relative doses at bladder, rectal, sigmoid colon, and vagina points were higher when point H was located superior to point A, and lower when point H was located inferior to point A. Conclusion: This study found out that as point H got located much superior to point A, the absorbed dose of surrounding normal organs became higher, and as point H got located much inferior to point A, the absorbed dose of surrounding normal organs became lower. This differences dose not seem to affect the treatment. However, we suggest this new point is worth being considered for the treatment of HDR if dose distribution and absorbed dose at normal organs have large differences between prescribed to point A and H.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4835-4837
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• 2012

Objectives: To evaluate residual disease in uterine cervical cancer patients treated with teletherapy using combined high dose rate Cobalt-60 brachytherapy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of uterine cervical cancer patients, FIGO stages IB-IVB (International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians recommendations), treated by radiotherapy alone between April 1986 and December 1988 was conducted and the outcomes analysed. The patients were treated using teletherapy 50 Gy/25 fractions, five fractions per week to the whole pelvis together with HDR Cobalt -60 afterloading brachytherapy of 850 cGy/fraction, weekly to point A for 2 fractions. Results: The study covered 141 patients with uterine cervical cancer. The mean age was 50.0 years with a range of 30-78 years. The mean tumor size was 4.1 cm in diameter (range 1-8 cm). Mean follow - up time was 2.94 years (range 1 month-6.92 years). The overall incidence of residual locoregional disease was 3.5%. Residual disease, according to stage IIB, IIIB and IVA was present in 2.78%, 3.37% and 50.0%. It was noted that there was no evidence of residual disease in stage IB and IIA cases. Conclusion: Combined teletherapy along with high dose rate Cobalt -60 brachytherapy of 850 cGy/fraction, weekly to point A for 2 fractions resulted in overall 3.5% residual disease and a 96.5% complete response. The proposed recommendation for improving outcome is initiation of measurements for early detection of disease.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2002

In this study, a cylindrical ultrasound applicator is developed for the treatment of vagina and rectum in combination with high dose rate brachytherapy. A cylindrical transducer (PZT-8, 1=1.5 cm, thickness=1.5mm OD=2.5 cm) was used as an energy source for induction of hyperthermia. Three single-element applicators were constructed to examine the performance of the PZT material. Vector impedance was measured to determine driving frequency. The efficiencies of the elements were determined using a radiation force technique to evaluate the feasibility of using the applicator as a hyperthermia source. A multi-element ultrasound applicator was designed using the PZT-8 material for the treatment of vagina. Results from the vector impedance measurements showed maximum magnitude at 1.78, 1.77, and 1.77 MHz for applicator 1,2, and 3, respectively. The radiation force measurements showed that the acoustic power of 40 watts was obtained in all three elements. The average efficiencies of the elements were 61.4, 65.2, and 54.0% for element 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The designed ultrasound hyperthermia applicator could be used in combination with high dose rate brachytherapy for the treatment of vagina and rectum. The use of this applicator with intracavitary brachytherapy could offer improved tumor control by increasing radiosensitiyity of the tumor.