[Results of radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix using high dose-rate intracavitary irradiation].
We retrospectively analyzed 216 previously untreated patients with cervical cancer treated by high dose-rate intracavitary irradiation between 1978 and 1986. Cumulative 5-year survivals in stage Ib, IIa, IIb, IIIa, IIIb and IVa were 72.3%, 88.9%, 68.9%, 75.0%, 64.0% and 16.7%, respectively. Cause-specific 5-year survivals in stage Ib, IIa, IIb, IIIa, IIIb and IVa were 93.3%, 88.9%, 74.7%, 75.0%, 68.9%, and 18.8%, respectively. Recurrences outside the pelvis in stage IIb and IIIb (14.9% and 24.0%) were more common than loco-regional recurrences (10.3% and 12.0%). However, loco-regional recurrences (50%) were most frequent in stage IVa. Thirteen patients (6.0%) required surgical management for intestinal complications (severe). Six patients (2.7%) died due to intestinal complications (fatal). These fatal and severe complications were closely correlated with the dose of external radiation. These data suggest that intracavitary irradiation using a high dose-rate system is useful for the treatment of uterine cancer; however, further efforts to reduce intestinal complications by lowering the dose of external radiation will be necessary. It is also suggested that a combined modality, such as chemotherapy, is necessary for controlling metastases outside the pelvis in stage IIb and IIIb, and for local control in stage IVa.
Kataoka
M
M
Department of Radiology, Ehime University School of Medicine.
Kawamura
M
M
Nishiyama
Y
Y
Hamada
K
K
Okumura
A
A
Fukui
A
A
Fujii
T
T
Mogami
H
H
Itoh
H
H
Hamamoto
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*