Optimized afterloading therapy of cervix carcinoma with the discontinuous movement of the iridium source.

Optimization of brachytherapy means first of all a physical adaptation of isodoses to shape and tolerances of radiosensitive tissues surrounding the target volume, and also to shape and dosage requirements of the tumor to be treated. Dose computation algorithms for optimizing afterloading therapy postulate the discontinuous movement of the iridium source. A new method for the application of the discontinuous movement to our afterloading equipment was worked out. It combines the abilities of the source movements and the demands of the clinical optimization of the isodoses used for the brachytherapy of cervix carcinoma.