A novel minimally invasive technique of high-dose rate image-based intracavitary brachytherapy for endometrial cancer using a single fine and soft, flexible applicator.

AIM: We report on a minimally invasive computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based image-guided intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) for an elder patient with endometrial cancer, who was unfit for anesthesia, using a fine and soft flexible applicator. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patient was an 82-year-old female. She was identified as having T1bN0M0 (stage IB) tumor, and histological findings revealed grade 2 adenocarcinoma. She was contraindicated for surgery because of advanced age and severe pulmonary emphysema; therefore, she was managed with CT/MRI-based ICBT alone. The total treatment dose was 26 Gy (6.5 Gy per fraction). The dose-volume histogram of the gross tumor volume, the clinical target volume, and organs at risk were calculated. RESULTS: The patient safely completed the ICBT course without pre-medication. Tumor growth was controlled, with complete disappearance after 32 months. No acute or late adverse effects were observed. MRI-guided ICBT can visualize the gross tumor volume in the uterine body, which cannot be detected by CT. CONCLUSION: We successfully and safely performed minimally invasive CT/MRI-based ICBT without pre-medication in a patient with endometrial cancer with high surgical risks, using a fine and soft, flexible applicator.