International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Highly-targeted radiation therapy can improve survival rates and reduce treatment-related complications among cervical cancer patients, it has been reported.

According to a study conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, US, the technique - called intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) – can be used to tackle this condition.

It is already utilised to combat cancers of the pelvic region, central nervous system, head and neck.

Lead author Elizabeth Kidd said previous studies of IMRT for cervical cancer have been small with limited follow-up.

"Some used IMRT as a post-operative treatment instead of as primary therapy, but this evidence did suggest that [it] could be an effective treatment choice," she added.

Based upon these findings, the school launched a full study, she added, and the positive results "will likely encourage more medical facilities to use IMRT for these patients".

Dr Kidd said the size of the new study and strength of the data will make it easier for US patients to receive insurance coverage for IMRT for cervical cancer, encouraging medical facilities to adopt the technique.

Last month, data presented by the American Association for Cancer Research indicated that a vaccination targeting HPV-16 and HPV-18 could eliminate 75 per cent of all cervical cancers in India.

Posted by Carla Mackenzie