Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2026. Vol. 71. № 3

DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2026-71-3-106-109

A.A. Zavialov, L.R. Khayretdinova, V.I. Arkhipova, M.S. Zugumova,

S.A. Votanovskaya

Complications of Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: Uterine Perforation and Management of Treatment (Literature Revie)

A.I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Moscow, Russia

Contact person: S.A. Votanovskaya, e-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABSTRACT 

Uterine perforation is a rare, potentially dangerous complication of cervical cancer brachytherapy. Modern studies emphasize the importance of early diagnosis of uterine perforation and an individual approach to treatment. The search for scientific materials was conducted in Pubmed/Medline using the following keywords: cervical cancer, brachytherapy and radiotherapy. The time horizon covered the period from 2020 to 2025. Using a time filter, the most relevant and innovative research papers on cervical cancer brachytherapy and its complications were selected. The review presents an analysis of modern studies on uterine perforation during cervical cancer brachytherapy. It discusses clinical cases, diagnostic methods (ultrasound, MRI, CT), management tactics (conservative, surgical), and treatment outcomes. Special attention is given to the role of imaging and the standards proposed in Russian clinical guidelines. The management of patients with perforation requires an individual approach, ranging from conservative treatment to emergency surgery. Modern approaches to perforation prevention include mandatory preoperative ultrasound or MRI scans to assess the anatomy of the uterus, the use of flexible and adaptive applicator systems, and intraoperative ultrasound navigation, which helps to reduce the incidence of complications. It is important to closely monitor patients after the procedure, especially those at risk. This multi-level approach minimizes the negative impact of perforation on the oncological outcome and the quality of life of patients, turning a potentially serious complication into a manageable clinical situation.

Keywords:  cervical cancer, brachytherapy, uterine perforation, complications

For citation:  Zavialov AA, Khayretdinova LR, Arkhipova VI, Zugumova MS, Votanovskaya SA. Complications of Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: Uterine Perforation and Management of Treatment (Literature Revie). Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2026;71(3):106–109. DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2026-71-3-106-109

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 PDF (RUS) Full-text article (in Russian)

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Financing. The study had no sponsorship.

Contribution. The article was prepared by one author.

Article received: 20.02.2026. Accepted for publication: 25.03.2026.