[Local application of dimethyl sulfoxide at different concentrations to the prevention of radiation-induced damages in patient with cancer of the cervix uteri].

OBJECTIVE

to study the efficacy of dimethyl sulfoxide ((DMSO) at different concentrations in preventing radiation-induced rectal and urinary bladder damages in patients with cervix uteri cancer (CUC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

combined radiation therapy (RT) was performed in 807 patients with CUC. In the control group (n = 221), RT was made, without applying radio-modified agents. An hour prior to a session of intracavitary irradiation, 10% DMSO solution was instilled into the rectum and urinary bladder in 113 patients and applications of metronidazole (MN) dissolved in 100% DSMO were made in 473 patients. Teleradiotherapy was performed, by using megavolt irradiation sources in the conventional fractionation mode; the total focal dose (TFD) was increased up to 40-46 Gy. Intracavitary irradiation was carried out on "AGAT-V" and "AGAT-VU" devices once weekly; the single focal dose in point A was 7 Gy; TFD was 49-56 Gy.

RESULTS

10% DMSO instillations reduced the incidence of late radiation-induced damages to the rectum and urinary bladder. In the control group, the incidence of these conditions was 19.0 and 9.5%, respectively; with the use of 10% DMSO, that was 8.8 and 7.1%. Applications of MN dissolved in 100% DMSO reduced the incidence of late radiation-induced damages to 1.7%.

CONCLUSION

Local application of DMSO is a method for preventing late radiation-induced damages to the rectum and urinary bladder in patients with CUC. When the concentration of DMSO is increased, its preventive effect increases.