Late urologic morbidity in 177 consecutive patients after radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma: a longitudinal study.
OBJECTIVE
To provide longitudinal data on urologic morbidity after radiotherapy and brachytherapy for cervical carcinoma.


METHODS
Five-year longitudinal urologic morbidity data were recorded from 177 consecutive patients of median age 59 years (range: 22-86 years) with cervical carcinoma receiving radiotherapy with curative intent at the Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. FIGO stages (%) were as follows: Stage I (15), Stage II (30), Stage III (54), and Stage IV (1). Late morbidity was calculated as cumulative incidence based on actuarial estimates.


RESULTS
The 5-year cumulative incidence based on actuarial estimates of urologic morbidity Grades 1 + 2 + 3, Grades 2 + 3, and Grade 3 were 62%, 32%, and 5%, respectively. Frequencies of urologic morbidity in the 54 recurrence-free survivors at the end of follow-up indicated some reversibility in the case of Grades 1 and 2 morbidity.


CONCLUSIONS
With the longitudinal design used in the present study, a rate of mild and moderate morbidity higher than that found in most of the previously reported literature was observed, giving cause for concern and underlining the importance of further longitudinal studies on this subject, specifically studies that relate to the background urologic morbidity in the female population, as well as to the fact that urologic morbidity might regress.
Lajer
Henrik
H
Department of Oncology, The Finsen Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. h.lajer@rh.dk
Thranov
Ingrid R
IR
Skovgaard
Lene T
LT
Engelholm
Svend Aa
SA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000532:radiotherapy*