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Weight loss during pelvic irradiation: cobalt-60 vs. 10 MV
Strahlentherapie
|November 1, 1980
Summary
Radiotherapy technique and unit significantly impact weight loss in cancer patients. Utilizing 10-MV APPA techniques resulted in less weight loss compared to 60Co, highlighting the importance of technical factors in pelvic irradiation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Pelvic irradiation is a common treatment for gynecological cancers.
- Weight loss during radiotherapy can negatively impact treatment outcomes and patient quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of different radiotherapy treatment units and techniques on body weight loss in patients undergoing pelvic irradiation for cervix or endometrial cancer.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 129 patients with cervix or endometrial cancer undergoing 5 to 6 weeks of pelvic irradiation.
- Comparison of weight loss between patients treated with 60Co and 10-MV APPA techniques.
- Comparison of weight loss between patients treated with 60Co and 10-MV "box" techniques.
Main Results:
- Patients treated with 60Co APPA lost 2.91% weight vs. 1.30% with 10-MV APPA (P=0.003).
- Patients treated with 60Co "box" lost 4.36% weight vs. 2.00% with 10-MV "box" (P=0.04).
- Nausea was higher with 60Co, but diarrhea incidence was similar.
Conclusions:
- Radiotherapy technical factors, including treatment unit and technique, significantly influence weight loss during pelvic irradiation.
- 10-MV techniques appear to be associated with less weight loss compared to 60Co techniques.
- Weight loss is influenced by cancer stage and type but not prior pelvic surgery.