Psychological response in patients suffering from the cancer of the reproductive organs treated with various methods of brachytherapy

Abstract

Brachytherapy using ałterloading system with low and medium dose (LDR/MDR) or high dose (HDR) radioactive sources is the method of treatment of uterine cervix or endometrium cancer, applied at the Greatpoland Oncology Centre.

Purpose

The work was aimed at carrying out an analysis of the psychological response and behaviour in patients in the course of brachytherapy.

Materials and methods

The study comprised 86 women, including 56 patients with the cancer of the uterine cervix and 30 patients with the cancer of the endometrium. Forty-eight women from both groups investigated were treated with LDR brachytherapy and 38 women were administered HDR brachytherapy. The methods used in the study were psychological interview and observation.

Results

Sixty-tive (76%) patients gained their intormation about the applied treatment methods from other patients. This intormation was mainly based on the patients’ own psychological response (feelings or perception), rather than on scientific knowledge. By comparing both methods of treatment 76 patients (88%) would have chosen to undergo the HDR brachytherapy due to the short time of its application. Eighty-three (97%) patients reported anxiety betore the first and second application of HDR and LDR. Ali patients considered brachytherapy as the most difficult, although acceptable, time in the course of treatment.

Conclusions

1. Brachytherapy, until started, gives rise to considerable degree of anxiety. 2. Both LDR and HDR techniques are believed to be difficult, but very effective. 3. The HDR technique, compared with the LDR/MDR techniques, due to the short time of its application is more acceptable be patients.