Intracavitary Neutron Therapy for Malignant Rectal Tumors using High Activity Cf-252 Sources

Abstract

Radiotherapeutic unit “ANET-V” is the first Russian unit for HDR Cf-252 brachytherapy. We developed in details the technique of intracavitary brachytherapy of different parts of the rectum, based on remote afterloading of high activity sources under direct visual control. Intracavitary brachytherapy in different volumes and with different aim was done to 61 patients with rectal cancer at the age of 36 to 68. Single dose on tumor base was 5–10 Gy and total dose was 10–50 Gy, RBE — 3. The diagnosis of all the patients was verified morphologically. Staging was performed according to the international classification ( The tumor localized in the anal part- 2 patients, in the lower-ampulla part of the rectum in 26 cases; in the medium-ampulla — 13 cases; in the upper-ampulla part — 12 patients and in rectosigmoid region 8 cases). We have not diagnosed any complications during pre-irradiation preparation (that is no trauma of proctal mucosa and tumor, no bleeding and perforation of proctal wall). There were no complications during intracavitary brachytherpy and following full-term of the treatment, i.e. our patients did not reveal bleeding, perforation of rectum wall, acute radiation damage of proctal mucosa and proctal wall. Anal sphincter function was not broken. Premedication is not needed. The main dosimetric and technical characteristics of “ANET-V” unit were investigated in clinic. We have designed a set of technical means for intracavitary brachytherapy in rectal tumors. Equipment has patents, the Gold Medal of the World exhibition “Brussels Evrika-94”.