Intra-fractional dosimetric analysis of image-guided intracavitary brachytherapy of cervical cancer

BACKGROUND: To assess the intra-fractional dosimetric variations of image-guided brachytherapy of cervical cancer. METHODS: A total of 38 fractions (9 patients) undergoing brachytherapy for cervical cancer underwent a CT scanning for treatment planning (planning CT) and a Cone-beam CT (CBCT) scanning immediately prior to delivery (pre-delivery CBCT). The variations of volumes as well as the dosimetric impact from treatment planning to delivery (intra-application) were evaluated. The dose volume histogram parameters including volume, D90 of high-risk clinical target volume (HRCTV) and D2cc of organs at risk (OARs) were recorded. RESULTS: The relative differences (mean ± 1SD) of the volume and D90 HRCTV across the two scans were − 2.0 ± 3.3% and − 1.2 ± 4.5%, respectively. The variations of D2cc for bladder, rectum, sigmoid and small intestine are − 0.6 ± 17.1%, 9.3 ± 14.6%, 7.2% ± 20.5% and 1.5 ± 12.6%, respectively. Most of them are statistically nonsignificant except the D2cc for rectum, which showed a significant increase (P = 0.001). Using 5% and 10% uncertainty of physical dose for HRCTV at a 6 Gy × 5 high-dose-rate schedule, the possibility of total equivalent doses in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2) lower than 85 Gy is close to 0% and 3%, respectively. Performing similar simulation at 15% and 20% uncertainty of a 4 Gy physical dose for OARs, the possibility of total EQD2 dose exceeding 75 Gy is about 70%. Less than 1% of the total EQD2 of OARs would exceed 80 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: Average intra-fractional dosimetric variation of HRCTV was small in an interval of less than 1 h, and the possibility of total EQD2 exceeding 85 Gy is higher than 97%. The intra-fractional dosimetric variations of OARs might result in an overdose for OARs in a single fraction or the whole treatment. It is necessary to detect unfavorable anatomical changes by re-imaging and take interventions to minimize applied doses and reduce the risk of complications. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13014-021-01870-x.