Doses in the urinary bladder during radiotherapy of women with advanced cervical carcinoma

Abstract

The treatment of women with advanced cervical carcinoma consist in the irradiation of the pelvis. The irradiated area includes tumor together with adjacent organs (bladder, rectum). Because of its immediate proximity to the tumor the bladder is particularly exposed to X-rays and is a critical organ in this therapy.We calculated the total dose from brachy and teletherapy in women with advanced cervical cancer using the Target 2 Plus system. The reterence points in the pelvis were determined according to the ICRU-38 report. The doses trom teletherapy were 40–44 Gy, from brachytherapy 50–55 Gy in the reterence points. The total doses received by the bladder in both parts ot the treatment reached 40–75 Gy in the poins of maximum exposure.The doses received by the remaining parts of the organ were significantly lower. Determinig the total dose makes it possible to modify the dose in the bladder and to prevent possible complications.