Published online Oct 10, 2014. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v5.i4.764
Revised: February 28, 2014
Accepted: April 3, 2014
Published online: October 10, 2014
Processing time: 215 Days and 22.2 Hours
Core tip: Traditionally, intracavitary brachytherapy in cancer cervix is based on dose prescription at point A. However, with the availability of computed tomography-magnetic resonance imaging compatible applicators, various imaging techniques, treatment planning systems for dose computations and evaluation, there is a gradual shift towards image based brachytherapy. The article reviews the evolution of dose prescription concepts from “point” to “image” based brachytherapy in the current clinical practice of intracavitary brachytherapy of cancer cervix. This could enable prescribing doses to conform the target and avoid normal structures based on individualized applicator geometry, tumour architecture and anatomy of the organs at risk, thereby improving the therapeutic outcome.