Treatment plan design of three-dimensional high-dose-rate brachytherapy for cervical cancer

Abstract

The development of a treatment plan is one of the critical steps in the three-dimensional (3D) brachytherapy for cervical cancer. This article reviews more than 40 papers on the treatment plan design of high-dose-rate brachytherapy for cervical cancer and summarizes the principles and methods for developing a treatment plan of 3D brachytherapy. There are many difficult points in 3D brachytherapy. The doses delivered to tumor and normal tissues need to be balanced by considering many different factors under different conditions. In addition, there are still some uncertain factors for developing the treatment plan of 3D brachytherapy, which needs further exploration and research in the future. It can provide some references for colleagues in 3D brachytherapy for cervical cancer. Key words: Cervical cancer; High dose rate; Treatment planning