Ultrasound based brachytherapy in the treatment of cervix cancer

Incorporating soft tissue imaging into the brachytherapy procedure for women undergoing treatment for cervix cancer improves clinical outcomes. Use of soft tissue imaging improves the technical quality of implants which leads to greater accuracy of target volume and normal tissue identification, and greater precision in dose delivery. This thesis explores the use of ultrasound as a soft tissue imaging modality for use in brachytherapy. Important findings demonstrate that ultrasound is as accurate as MRI in identifying the brachytherapy target volume, and use of ultrasound enables image guidance for applicator insertion and treatment planning to be available to many more patients.