title: Radical radiotherapy for carcinoma cervix--preliminary experience with the microSelectron high dose rate machine.
abstract: Radiotherapy for uterine cervix carcinoma is an accepted treatment for all stages of invasive malignancy. The radiation modality is usually a combination of brachytherapy and external beam therapy for all except the most extensive tumours (stage IV--FIGO). Satisfactory results have been obtained in the Singapore General Hospital using low dose-rate radium applications in combination with cobalt teletherapy. Five year actuarial survival rates of 86.7% were obtained for FIGO stage I, 65.0% for stage II, 41.4% for stage III, 4.9% for stage IV with an overall rate of 54.0% for all stages. Corresponding 10-year rates were: 79.6%, 60.2%, 35.2%, 0% and 48.2%. Preliminary results of primary radiotherapy in 36 patients with cervical carcinoma treated by high dose-rate brachytherapy (microSelectron HDR) combined with 6MVP photons from a Siemens linear accelerator are presented. The patients were registered at the Mount Elizabeth Oncology Centre from November 1989 to December 1990 inclusive. The morbidity from high dose-rate therapy appears lower (9.1% for vaginal stenosis, 6.1% for non-severe proctitis) than for the radium series (4.1% and 20.8%) although the major complication rate appears similar (3% vs 2.8% respectively). The total failure rate is also lower at 19.4% for the HDR patients compared to 33.5% for the radium group. However, these rates are not strictly comparable as the HDR series consists of a small number of patients with limited follow-up. In the light of the data indicating acceptable morbidity with significant rate of early failure, the HDR brachytherapy doses have been increased whilst keeping within the limits set by other centres.
authors.affiliation: Mount Elizabeth Oncology Centre, Singapore.
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Khor
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Toh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D000267:Tissue Adhesions; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000209:etiology