Treatment of locally advanced carcinoma cervix with special emphasis on brachytherapy: A practice pattern survey among young radiation oncologist of India.

backgroundCarcinoma cervix is one of the two most common cancers of Indian women with very high morbidity and mortality burden. Although India probably is the leading country in numbers patients of cervix treated radically with combination of teletherapy and brachytherapy (BT), there is presumed diversity of practice across the country due to the inequality of available infrastructure, absence of uniform the training of the radiation oncologists, and absence of any national guidelines. The present survey was conducted to determine current practice patterns in management of locally advanced carcinoma cervix with regard to gynecologic high-dose-rate among the radiation oncologist across the country. METHODOLOGY: A 25-item survey was undertaken to study the standard management pattern of Stage IIB-IIIB cervical cancer with special emphasis on the BT practice patterns among various young radiation oncologist working across the country. The survey was undertaken in person in the form of interview questionnaire among the younger members of association of radiation oncologist of India during two national conferences, along with telephonic interview of other members as obtained from the national directory.

resultsAbout 57 young radiation oncologists from 57 centers across the country were surveyed. 25 of them represented private nonacademic centers, 24 represented government academic centers, the rest were from private academic, nongovernmental organization (NGO) run and other centers. The most common teletherapy dose prescribed was 46 Gy/23# for Stage II, and50 Gy/25 # for Stage III disease. HDR after loader with

conclusionAlthough fractionation patterns may vary, the overall mean dose administered for cervical cancer is similar across the country, which is slightly lower than the recommended doses as per stage by various international guidelines.