When cancer is limited to the cervix and / or pelvic lymph nodes, the standard recommendation is External beam radiation therapy, followed by brachytherapy (local radioactive implants, usually using cesium) to the cervix Radiation therapy may cause acute complications (eg, radiation proctitis and cystitis) and, occasionally, late complications (eg, vaginal stenosis, intestinal obstruction, rectovaginal and vesicovaginal fistula formation).