[Radiotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix by intermittent sessions with deferred loading using Cobalt 60 or Caesium...

Fractioning in gynaecological radiotherapy is a tolerance factor which may usefully be exploited in after loading. The advantage of fractioning is that it makes it possible to considerably increase the output of the projection apparatus (Curietron) and to avoid protection of the rooms : the patient retains the applicator in situ during the hospital stay and her bed is simply taken into the protected application room. With a source of 1 to 1.5 curie of cobalt, the author proposes twice-daily sessions of around ten minutes for ten days. Treatment may easily be given in the cobaltotherapy chamber. Using Caesium, it is necessary to protect only one room with a virtually two-fold increase in output since 10 to 12 hour treatments, either by day or by night, may be given. This very supple schedule makes it possible to modify dose and tolerance in relation to clinical conditions and the method of treatment (combined radiotherapy and surgery or radiotherapy alone). As far as axial vaginal source introducer is concerned, it is of prove, effectiveness as well as being easy to use. After describing the applicator, the source-carrier and the isodoses, the authors reviews the different methods of application, relying upon two previous studies of the influence of fractioning and protraction on tolerance (J. SWYNGEDAUW, 1975 and 1976).