Trial Information

Dosimetric Planning Study Comparing IMRT and 4-field Radiotherapy for Definitive Treatment of Cancer of the Cervix

Radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy is the standard treatment of locally advanced
cervix cancer, however with traditional techniques large volumes of bowel and bladder are
irradiated causing short-term and long-term genito-urinary and gastro-intestinal side
effects. IMRT has the potential to conform precisely to the target and spare normal tissues
and reduce side effects. However because there are large dose gradients there is the
potential to miss the target due to organ motion. Recent studies have documented organ
motion and will be used to define the target. Approximately 60 planning scans, previously
used to treat patients with cervix cancer, will be used to replan using an IMRT technique
and differences in doses to tumour and normal tissues compared.