Study on changes in cell images of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri during high dose rate intracavitary remote afterloading irradiation used together with external irradiation

High dose rate intracavitary remote afterloading irradiation was performed after external irradiation with 3,000 rad of telecobalt, and radiosensitivity of carcinoma cells was discussed on the basis of cytodiagnosis. High dose rate intracavitary irradiation was performed once a week to make up a single dose of 600 rad at A point. Changes in cells were observed in 2 courses. In the first course, changes of cells were observed in order of swelling of cytoplasm, swelling of cell nucleus (macronucleus and polynucleus), agglutination or shift of nucleoplasm, brightening of nucleus, destruction of nucleus, invasion of nucleoplasm into cytoplasm, disappearance and cornification of nucleoplasm, and appearance of ghost cells. In the second course, changes in cells were observed in order of swelling of cytoplasm, karyopyknosis, karyolysis, brightening of nucleus, disappearance of nucleoplasm, and sparse appearance of ghost cells. Destruction or death of carcinoma cells by high dose rate intracavitary remote afterloading irradiation was marked, but its biological effects were not proved because of poor clinical experience. (Tsunoda, M.)