Sodium Deoxyribonucleate Prevents Radiation Cystitis in Uterine or Cervical Cancer Patients

Results: To develop a method for reducing the frequency and severity of early radiation reactions in patients with cancer of the uterus or cervix. Material and methods: We analyzed the results of treatment of 60 patients with cancer of the uterus and cervix, patients received a postoperative course of external beam radiotherapy combined with the intramuscular administration of the Derinat® radioprotector (sodium deoxyribonucleate); in the second arm, they received a postoperative course of external beam radiotherapy and standard therapy in case of radiation cystitis. The assessment of radiation reactions severity was performed with the EORTC QLQ-C30 criteria, WBC count, IPSS scale, urine analysis and cystoscopic examination evaluated with the developed by us scale. Results: Evaluation of the quality of life in patients with cervical or uterine cancer at the final stage of treatment using the IPSS scale showed that in the arm of patients with sodium deoxyribonucleate, there was a 30.4 % (p> 0.05) decrease in the symptoms of urinary disorders. The use of the radioprotector sodium deoxyribonucleate also statistically significantly reduced the incidence of radiation cystitis by 73 %. According to cystoscopy, the total bladder injury score at the end of treatment was 147 % lower. The number of leukocytes in the urine analysis at the end of treatment was 116.3 % lower (p≤0.01) in those who received sodium deoxyribonucleate Conclusion: The data obtained indicate the radioprotective efficacy of sodium deoxyribonucleate and make it possible to recommend its intramuscular administration to patients with cancer of the uterus and cervix against the background of external beam radiation therapy to reduce the frequency and severity of acute radiation cystitis in patients with cancer of the uterus or cervical cancer receiving external beam radiation therapy.

Static small radiation fields and detectors for relative small field dosimetry in external beam radiotherapy

The aim of this work is to analyze existing detectors for the relative dosimetry of small radiation fields in external beam radiation therapy and the requirements for them, consider the problems in carrying out dosimetry of small radiation fields, determine the physical conditions under which an external photon beam can be designated as a small field. In modern radiation therapy, there is an increase in the use of small static fields, which is facilitated by the general availability of standard and optional multileaf collimators and new generation treatment machines of various designs. There is growing interest in the use of such radiation techniques as stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy, which are widely used small fields. This has increased the uncertainties in clinical dosimetry, especially for small fields. Accurate dosimetry of small fields is important when commissioning linear accelerators and is a difficult task, especially for very small fields used in stereotactic radiotherapy. In the course of the work, a study of topical problems in the dosimetry of small radiation fields in external beam radiation therapy has been carried out. The physical conditions under which the external photon beam can be designated as a small field are considered. A review and analysis of existing detectors for the relative dosimetry of small radiation fields, as well as an analysis of the requirements for the character. The analysis revealed that liquid ionization chambers, silicon diodes, diamond detectors, organic scintillators, radiochromic films, thermoluminescent dosimeters and optically stimulated luminescence detectors are considered suitable for relative dosimetry of small photon fields and are recommended for use in clinics where radiotherapy is performed.