Effects of Radiotherapy on Uterine Blood Flow in Patients with
Postmenopausal Cervical Carcinoma Studied by Color Doppler Ultrasonography
Huang Jianguo,wang Zhangrong
Hubei Cancer Hospotial,Wuhan 430070
ABSTRACT Objective:To evaluate radiotherapy-induced tumor blood flow changes by color Doppler ultrasonography and its clinical significance.Methods:Color Doppler examination was performed on 49 patients with postmenopausal cervical carcinoma treated with radiotherapy.The radiation doses varied from 36 Gy to 70Gy.Results:Radiotherapy caused decrease in the peak-systolic blood flow velocity of uterine artery.The uterine artery was not detected by color Doppler ultrasound in 51%(25/49).The RI values of the uterine artery>0.6 held 83% (20/24).The decrease of intratumoral vascularity and reduction of blood flow velocity of uterine artery with increased RI during the radiotherapy were associated with better results.however,persistence of excessive vascularity at the end of radiotherapy needed further treatment.Conclusion:These results suggested that color Doppler ultrasonography might be useful in early assessment of vascular therapeutic response of radiotherapy.Modifying the treatment schedules according to early therapeutic response help achieve better outcome.
KEY WORDS Color Doppler ultrasonography Cervical cancer Radiotherapy