[Current techniques of brachytherapy in primary and metastatic cancers of the vagina]

The results of brachytherapy of 133 patients with primary vaginal carcinoma (stage I-III), 137--with cervical metastasis into the vagina, and 132 cases of endometrial metastasis into the vagina are presented. Recommendations based on a detailed analysis of isodose distribution versus the applicator type and radiation source used are given. The annular colpostat using 137cesium radiation from the Selectron NMD/SMD installation and 197iridium radiation from the MicroSelectron unit produces the maximum mean reference isodose. The uniform distribution of 100% isodose in exophytic and mixed neoplasms and the best mucosal focus and applicator volume/target volume ratio are obtained.