Radiotherapy, cancer and some anatomical structures related with the pelvic floor: an evaluation of the scientific literature

ABSTRACT

Radiotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy X-rays or other types of ionizing radiation to try to kill the cancer cells in various organs/tissues. PubMed is a database used as a tool in various publications. The aim of this work was to evaluate, in the PubMed, the number of publications (NP) in radiotherapy and cancer in various organs related to the pelvic floor as well as brachytherapy. The searches were performed (August 2008) in the PubMed (http//www.pubmed.com) using the words (i) radiotherapy (RT) or cancer (CA), (ii) RT and CA, (iii) RT and CA and prostate, RT and CA and testis, RT and CA and breast, RT and CA and kidneys, RT and CA and vulva, RT and CA and vagina, RT and CA and penis, RT and CA and uterus, RT and CA and ovary, RT and CA and bladder, and RT and CA and urethra. A search using brachytherapy was also performed. The NP in each subject was determined and was 2178635 to CA and about 9% of them are related with RT. The NP in RT and CA and breast or prostate is bigger than for the other organs, whereas brachytherapy is mainly cited in the studies about CA of prostate, bladder and breast. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate the importance of radiation therapy studies in the cancer of several organs. This information is crucial in understanding the field and demonstrates areas of significant progress or existing gaps of research in radiotherapy treatment of various cancers of the pelvis. Furthermore, it could significantly aid the interprofessional team in the determination of actions related to the treatment of patients that are undertaking radiotherapy, due to the possible complications of this modality of treatment.

RESUMO

Radioterapia é uma forma de tratamento para câncer que usa raios X de alta energia ou outros tipos de radiação ionizante para tentar matar as células do câncer em vários órgãos/tecidos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar, no PubMed, o número de publicações (NP) em radioterapia e câncer em alguns órgãos geralmente relacionados com o assoalho pélvico e com a braquiterapia. A pesquisa foi realizada (Agosto de 2008) no PubMed (http//www.pubmed.com) utilizando as palavras (i) radiotheraphy (RT) or cancer (CA), (ii) RT and CA, (iii) RT and CA and prostate, RT and CA and testis, RT and CA and breast, RT and CA and kidneys, RT and CA and vulva, RT and CA and vagina, RT and CA and penis, RT and CA and uterus, RT and CA and ovary, RT and CA and bladder, and RT and CA and urethra. Uma pesquisa usando brachytherapy foi também realizada. O NP em cada termo foi determinado e foi 2178635 para CA e aproximadamente 9 por cento estão relacionados com RT. O NP em RT e CA e breast ou prostate é maior do que outros órgãos e braquiterapia são principalmente citados nos estudos sobre CA de próstata, bexiga e mama. Concluindo, esses achados mostram a importância de estudos sobre a terapia por radiação de câncer em alguns órgãos. Além disso, essas informações poderiam ajudar a equipe interprofissional no desenvolvimento de ações nos pacientes que estão sendo tratados com radioterapia devido às possíveis complicações dessa modalidade de tratamento.