3D-Printed Brachytherapy in Patients with Cervical Cancer: Improving Efficacy and Safety Outcomes

Abstract

Abstract Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 3D printing technology in brachytherapy for cervical cancer, comparing its outcomes with conventional manual implantation brachytherapy. Methods: A total of 57 cervical cancer patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College from January 2019 to July 2023 were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: 25 patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) combined with 3D-printed brachytherapy, and 25 patients underwent IMRT combined with manual brachytherapy implantation. Key indicators analyzed included short-term therapeutic effects, survival outcomes, operation times, the number of CT scans, the number of needles inserted, dosimetric parameters, and complications. Results: The use of 3D-printed brachytherapy significantly improved the safety of radiation therapy operations, especially for large tumors (≥30mm), by providing more precise dose distribution and reducing the radiation doses received by critical organs such as the bladder and rectum. The incidence of radiation enteritis was significantly lower in the 3D-printed brachytherapy group compared to the manual implantation group (P< 0.001). There were no significant differences in other complications between the two groups. Short-term therapeutic response rates were comparable, with no significant difference in overall survival observed between the two groups. Conclusion: 3D-printed brachytherapy offers a more effective and safer therapeutic option for patients with cervical cancer, particularly for those with large tumors or complex anatomical structures.