Chapters authored
Radiation for Gynaecological Malignancies
Gynaecological malignancies are the most common cancers of women and they contribute to the significant amount of mortality. Women in developing countries are diagnosed in late stages and hence radiation is the common modality of therapy. Radiation is required in managing 80–90% of women with carcinoma cervix, 60% of women with endometrial cancer and 50% of women with carcinoma vulva. The stage of the disease is the most important factor in survival and counselling is essential to ensure complete therapy. Radiation is used as a primary therapy, adjuvant therapy, neo‐adjuvant therapy and as palliation. The techniques include external beam radiation and brachytherapy or the combination of both. The newer techniques include IMRT‐, IGRT‐ and PET‐CT‐guided therapies. Side effects/complications occur as acute during therapy, subacute within 3 months and chronic after 6 months. Management of these side effects is essential for increasing compliance of the patient so as to achieve high cure rates. Management of recurrent disease is a challenge and requires multidisciplinary approach involving Gynaecological Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist and Surgical Oncologist.
Part of the book: Radiotherapy