Optimal Number of Needle Applicators Inserted in Combined Intracavitary and Interstitial Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM: Combined intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy (IC/IS-BT) is an effective treatment for extensive and bulky cervical cancer. However, the optimum number of interstitial needle applicators ("needles") inserted in IC/IS-BT can be difficult to determine. To examine the number of needles required for adequate dose coverage of cervical tumors, we retrospectively analyzed IC/IS-BT plans. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (r) were used to evaluate correlations. RESULTS: , respectively. CONCLUSION: .