Clinical assessment of 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy using a two-channel Y applicator combined with external beam radiotherapy for endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy using a two-channel Y applicator combined with external beam radiotherapy for the treatment of endometrial cancer. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with stage I-III endometrial cancer were recruited for this study. The stage I patients received only 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy with a two-channel applicator. The stage II and III patients received both 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy using a two-channel applicator and parallel-opposed whole pelvic radiotherapy. RESULTS: The five-year local control rate was 80.6% (25/31), the overall survival rate was 51.6% (16/31), and the disease-free survival rate was 54.8% (17/31). The incidence of serious late complications was 12.9% (4/31). CONCLUSIONS: 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy using a two-channel applicator combined with external beam radiotherapy was effective for treating endometrial cancer and the incidence of serious late complications related to this combination was within an acceptable range.

Clinical analysis of combination of (252)Cf neutron intracavitary brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy for 110 cervical cancer patients / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the curative effect and complication of (252)Cf brachytherapy on cervical cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Nov 2002 to Nov 2007, 110 cervical cancer patients were treated by combination of (252)Cf neutron intracavitary brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy. There were 2 cases of stage Ib, 5 stage IIa, 57 stage IIb, 2 stage IIIa, 41 stage IIIb, 2 stage IVa, and 1 stage IVb. The whole pelvic cavity was irradiated with 8 MV X-ray, 1.8 Gy/fraction, 4 - 5 times per week. The total dose of external beam radiotherapy was 40 - 50 Gy (the center of whole pelvic field was blocked by 4 cm in width after 20 - 30 Gy). (252)Cf neutron intracavitary brachytherapy was delivered at 6 - 8 Gy(i)/fraction, and the total dose of reference point A was 30-51 Gy(i). The median dose was 42 Gy(i).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall 3-year survival rate of all patients was 79.2%, and the local control rate was 90.0%. In particular, the 3-year survival rate was 1/2 for stage I, 84.3% for stage II, 53.7% for stage III. The difference between stage II and stage III was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The 3-year survival in cervical lesions larger than or equal to 4 cm and those less than 4 cm was 68.1% and 71.2%, respectively (P > 0.05). The 3-year survival rate of patients with and without anemia was 42.4% and 78.2%, respectively (P < 0.05). The 3-year survival rate of patients with squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was 78.5% and 76.9%, respectively (P > 0.05). The late radiation complications of rectum and bladder was 11.8% (13/110) and 2.7% (3/110), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is concluded that (252)Cf is a better source for intracavitary brachytherapy. According to our initial experience, (252)Cf has advantages of a high local control rate, especially to bulky tumor and adenocarcinoma.</p>