Thromboembolic events following brachytherapy: case reports

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Pulsed-dose-rate (PDR) brachytherapy offers radiobiological benefits over low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy, including dose optimization and radiation safety.
• PDR brachytherapy is commonly employed for treating gynecological malignancies, although treatment durations can be lengthy.
• The link between cancer and thrombosis is established, yet specific data regarding thromboembolic events during brachytherapy are limited.

Observation:

• This report details two cases of significant thromboembolic events occurring during brachytherapy for gynecological cancers.
• The events transpired during the course of PDR brachytherapy treatment.

Findings:

• The study highlights a potential association between PDR brachytherapy procedures and the occurrence of major thromboembolic events.
• The findings suggest that brachytherapy may contribute to the risk of thrombosis in cancer patients.

Implications:

• These findings underscore the need for increased awareness of thromboembolic risks in patients undergoing PDR brachytherapy.
• The study advocates for the development of practical preventive strategies to mitigate the risk of thromboembolic events in this patient population.
• Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the causal mechanisms and optimize patient management during PDR brachytherapy.