BRACHYTHERAPY FOR MALIGNANT NEOPLASMS OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: HOW, FOR WHOM, WHY

Brachytherapy is a treatment method in which a radioactive source is inserted directly into the tumor or into the tissue adjacent to it. This allows delivering the maximum radiation dose to the malignant neoplasm while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues. Together with expert Gunel Kulieva, a radiotherapist at the Department of Contact Radiotherapy of the A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre (MRRC), we will look at when this technique is used to treat diseases of the female reproductive system.

Brachytherapy can be intracavitary, interstitial or hybrid. The application of this treatment method is determined by the specific clinical situation, individual characteristics of each patient and an assessment of the clinical condition.

In oncogynecology, brachytherapy has been successfully used for many years:

• as part of combined radiotherapy for cervical and uterine cancer;
• in the postoperative period as an independent course of treatment for uterine cancer, cervical cancer and vaginal cancer;
• for recurrent tumors in the pelvic area.

«The treatment is performed under sedation», – says Gunel Zakirovna. «An important stage is CT‑based topometry, which allows us to accurately determine the position of the endostate and perform contouring of the planned treatment volume. We carefully analyze not only the primary tumor, but also the surrounding organs and structures that may be at risk. After that, we work in close collaboration with medical physicists. Together, we meticulously plan the treatment parameters, assess how well the critical structures are covered, and set the doses to minimise possible side effects. This comprehensive approach helps us ensure maximum treatment efficacy and patient safety».

Today, this technique is available at all branches of the National Medical Research Centre (NMRC) of Radiology. To book a consultation with specialists, please contact the call center:

• A. Tsyb MRRC: +7 800 250‑87‑00;
• P. Hertsen MORI: +7 495 150‑11‑22;
• N. Lopatkin Scientific Research Institute of Urology and Interventional Radiology: +7 499 110‑40‑67.