Description of an afterloading 192Ir interstitial-intracavitary technique in the treatment of carcinoma of the vagina.

This is a preliminary report of an afterloading 192Ir interstitial-intracavitary technique used in the treatment of carcinoma of the vagina. Thirteen cases of carcinoma of the vagina, stages I through III, were treated at the Southern California Cancer Center and University of Southern California Radiation Medicine Unit between November 1976 and February 1978. The Syed-Neblett perineal template is described in detail, as are the precise clinical application techniques. The hallmarks of the method are: 1) ease of use by the physician, 2) homogeneous radiation dose distribution, and 3) differential radiation dose delivery capabilities. The technique is believed to be an improvement over previous modalities of therapy reported in the literature.