Local application of dimethyl sulfoxide at different concentrations to the prevention of radiation-induced damages in patient with cancer of the cervix uteri

OBJECTIVE: to study the efficacy of dimethyl sulfoxide ((DMSO) at different concentrations in preventing radiation-induced rectal and urinary bladder damages in patients with cervix uteri cancer (CUC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: combined radiation therapy (RT) was performed in 807 patients with CUC. In the control group (n = 221), RT was made, without applying radio-modified agents. An hour prior to a session of intracavitary irradiation, 10% DMSO solution was instilled into the rectum and urinary bladder in 113 patients and applications of metronidazole (MN) dissolved in 100% DSMO were made in 473 patients. Teleradiotherapy was performed, by using megavolt irradiation sources in the conventional fractionation mode; the total focal dose (TFD) was increased up to 40-46 Gy. Intracavitary irradiation was carried out on "AGAT-V" and "AGAT-VU" devices once weekly; the single focal dose in point A was 7 Gy; TFD was 49-56 Gy. RESULTS: 10% DMSO instillations reduced the incidence of late radiation-induced damages to the rectum and urinary bladder. In the control group, the incidence of these conditions was 19.0 and 9.5%, respectively; with the use of 10% DMSO, that was 8.8 and 7.1%. Applications of MN dissolved in 100% DMSO reduced the incidence of late radiation-induced damages to 1.7%. CONCLUSION: Local application of DMSO is a method for preventing late radiation-induced damages to the rectum and urinary bladder in patients with CUC. When the concentration of DMSO is increased, its preventive effect increases.