[Prevention of radiation damage to the bladder and rectum using local application of dimethyl sulfoxide].

A method for the prevention of radiation injuries of the urinary bladder and rectum for cervical cancer patients was worked out. It was based on the local application of the radioprotective agent dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) before a session of interstitial irradiation with the AGAT-B apparatus. Concomitant radiation therapy with DMSO was provided to 22 cervical cancer patients. The control group included 59 patients who received similar treatment without DMSO. The expression of early reactions and late injuries of the rectum and urinary bladder were significantly lower in the DMSO group. A radioprotective DMSO effect with relation to tumor was not found.