Normal and neoplastic tissue effects of high intensity intracavitary irradiation: cancer of the corpus uteri

From July 1967 to May 1971, 42 patients with cancer of the uterine corpus had intravaginal applications by the remote afterloading technique. All applications were performed on an outpatient basis. Analysis of the treatment data suggests that fractionated insertions are necessary when using high intensity sources with dose rates of 50–70 rads/minute or normal tissue effects become pronounced. An equivalent single dose (ESD) of 2,100 rads is effective in preventing local vaginal recurrences without causing late vaginal reactions, providing it is given in three or more fractions.