Conventional radiation therapy of cervical cancer

This review of the present literature about the conventional management of patients with definitive radiotherapy for invasive carcinoma of the cervix will focus on advances in the use of external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) as well as in the administration of low-dose-rate brachytherapy for the de livery of radiotherapy. Important concepts discussed include: techniques an d dose fractionation for EBRT; newer imaging modalities for administration of EBRT; construction of the midline shield for external irradiation of the pelvic nodes following brachytherapy; the role of elective para-aortic nod al external radiotherapy; and the adequate number of brachytherapy applicat ions needed to impact on patient outcome. Considerable attention will be gi ven to multi-institutional clinical data (e.g., the Patterns of-Care Study and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group) to illustrate advances in radioth erapy of patients with cervical carcinoma. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 16:242-246, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.