Optimal Number of Needle Applicators Inserted in Combined Intracavitary and Interstitial Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer
Combined intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy (IC/IS-BT) is an effective treatment for extensive and bulky cervical cancer. However, the optimum number of interstitial needle applicators ("needles") inserted in IC/IS-BT can be difficult to determine. To examine the number of needles required for adequate dose coverage of cervical tumors, we retrospectively analyzed IC/IS-BT plans. IC/IS-BT plans for cervical cancer patients treated from January 2014 to January 2021 were analyzed. All tumors were controlled locally at the time of analysis (August 2022). The relationship between the number of needles and several volumetric parameters of high-risk clinical target volume (CTV Eighty-two plans in 32 patients were analyzed. The median maximum cross-sectional area and volume of CTV The optimal number of needles can be determined from the maximum cross-sectional area of CTV