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World J Clin Oncol. Oct 10, 2014; 5(4): 764-774
Published online Oct 10, 2014. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v5.i4.764
Brachytherapy in cancer cervix: Time to move ahead from point A?
Anurita Srivastava, Niloy Ranjan Datta
Anurita Srivastava, Department of Radiation Oncology, Medanta the Medicity, Gurgaon 122001, India
Niloy Ranjan Datta, Centre for Radiation Oncology KSA-KSB, Kantonsspital Aarau, Aargau CH 5034, Switzerland
Author contributions: Both authors contributed equally to the conception and design of the work, literature search, interpretation of the data, drafting the manuscript, revising the intellectual content of the manuscript and final approval of the version of the manuscript to be published.
Correspondence to: Dr. Niloy Ranjan Datta, Professor, Centre for Radiation Oncology KSA-KSB, Kantonsspital Aarau, Tellstrasse 5, Aargau CH 5034, Switzerland. niloyranjan.datta@ksa.ch
Telephone: +41-62-8389559 Fax: +41-62-8385223
Received: December 28, 2013
Revised: February 28, 2014
Accepted: April 3, 2014
Published online: October 10, 2014
Processing time: 215 Days and 22.2 Hours
Core Tip

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.