Study on Appropriate Rectal Volume for External Irradiation in Patients With Cervical Cancer

To investigate the appropriate rectal volume for external irradiation of cervical cancer. A retrospective study of 143 patients with cervical cancer who underwent external radiotherapy from January 2017 to September 2020 was conducted. Average rectum volumes and the cumulative dose (V30, V40, V50, D2cc) to organs at risk (bladder, rectum, and small bowel) during radiotherapy were evaluated using the treatment planning system. Rates of radiation cystitis and radiation proctitis were assessed. The median follow-up was 48 months, and the included patients had a median age of 53 years. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on their average rectum volume: Group A: