LOW-DOSE RATE AND HIGH-DOSE-RATE INTRACAVITARY BRACHYTHERAPY IN A PATIENT WITH CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX

The role of low dose rate (LDR) intracavitary radiotherapy in the mana gement of carcinoma of the uterine cervix is well established. However , there are selected groups of patients in whom high dose rate (HDR) i ntracavitary radiotherapy may have particular advantages. A case repor t of a patient with carcinoma of the cervix who received both LDR and HDR intracavitary radiotherapy is presented. A comparison of the norma l tissue doses produced by the two forms of brachytherapy is made. The choice of dose for the HDR treatment was calculated using standard li near quadratic isoeffect equations. The relative clinical merits of LD R and HDR treatments in gynaecological cancer are discussed.