Radiation Therapy of Uterine Cervical Cancer in Japan

The present status of irradiation therapy in Japan for cervical cancer of the uterus and the several concomitant problems are discussed in this paper. Recently, our radiotherapeutic techniques have markedly advanced; the introduction of telecobalt, linac and betatron as well as the improved techniques helped to increase the salvage rate. However, there are increased risks of severe side effects from such intensified external irradiation, so that much more accurate determination of the irradiation field, dose and technique would be required. The present paper deals with the intracavitary irradiation method, afterloading, remote control insertion of the micro source, and the measurement of radiation dose by IBM. The author's views on the following items are also expressed: a future prospect on the selective tissue irradiation method, the estimation and artificial alteration of radiosensitivity (for instance, irradiation under hyperbaric oxygen), the criteria for selecting a therapeutic method, and judgement concerning the necessity of postoperative irradiation.