title: Radical radiation therapy for carcinoma of the vagina--impact of treatment modalities on outcome: Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute experience 1970-1990.
abstract: To determine the outcome of radical radiation therapy for carcinoma of the vagina, a retrospective analysis has been made of 103 patients referred with this diagnosis to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute from 1970 to 1989. Eighty-four patients were treated for cure, seventy-four patients with definitive radical radiotherapy and 10 patients with adjuvant post-operative radiotherapy. Results were analyzed from two eras--before and after 1985--reflecting changes in referral pattern, treatment policy, and outcome. Forty-eight patients were treated before 1985 (Stage I--24, Stage II--6, Stage III--15, Stage IV--3) and 36 patients after 1985 (Stage I--20, Stage II--3, Stage III--6, Stage IV--7). After 1985 more patients were treated with combined beam radiation and brachytherapy (23/36 vs. 16/48 prior to 1985). More extensive tumors were systematically implanted (Ir 192). (No implants before 1985; 15 implants and 8 intracavitary applications post 1985). Fewer were treated with external beam alone after 1985; 11/36 (31%) vs. 27/48 (55%) before 1985. A small number (7/84-8%) were treated with brachytherapy alone. Survival results were markedly improved after 1985 (22/36-61% vs 16/48-33%) due partly to the shorter period of follow-up, but due also to marked improvement in local control particularly in early stage disease. (1/23 vs. 12/30 recurrences in Stage I, II disease). Results indicate optimal results with radical radiation therapy occur only with adequate dose delivery best achieved with a judicious combination of external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. Interstitial implantation plays a crucial role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sexton
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*
chemical_list: D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes