• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.231-239
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• 1990

From May 1979 through December 1981 a total of 524 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix were treated by radiation therapy with curative intent. Among the 524 patients, 350 were treated with a high-dose-rate (HDR), remote-controlled, afterloading intracavitary irradiation (ICR) system using a cobalt source (Ralstron), and 168 patients received a low-dose-rate (LDR) ICR using a radium source. External beam irradiation with a total dose of 40-50 Gy to the whole pelvis followed by intracavitary irradiation with a total dose of 30-39 Gy in 10-13 fractions to point A was the treatment protocol. ICR was given three times a week with a dose of 3 Gy per fraction. Five-year actuarial survival rates in the HDR-ICR group were $77.6{\%}$ in stage IB (N=20), $68.2{\%}$ in stage II (N=182), and $50.9{\%}$ in stage III (N=148). In LDR-ICR group, 5-year survival rates were $87.5{\%}$ in stage IB (N=22), $66.3{\%}$ in stage II (N=91), and $55.4{\%}$ in stage III (N=52). Survival rates showed a statistically significant difference by stage, but there was no significant difference between the two ICR groups. Late bowel complications after radiotherapy were noted in $3.7{\%}$ of the HDR-ICR group and $8.4{\%}$ of the LDR-ICR group. There was no severe complication requiring surgical management. The incidence of bladder complications was $1.4{\%}$ in the HDR-ICR group and $2.4{\%}$ in the LDR-ICR group. The application of HDR-ICR was technically simple and easily performed on an outpatient basis without anesthesia, and the patients tolerated it very well. Radiation exposure to personnel was virtually nil in contrast to that of LDR-ICR. Within a given period of time, more patients can be treated with HDR-ICR because of the short treatment time. Therefore, the HDR-ICR system is highly recommended for a cancer center, particularly one with a large number of patients to be treated. In order to achieve an improved outcome, however, the optimum dose-fractionation schedule of HDR-ICR and optimum combination of intracavitary irradiation with external beam irradiation should be determined through an extensive protocol.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.241-253
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• 1990

331 patients of stage IIb uterine cervix cancer trated by radiation alone at Kosin Medical Center between June 1980 and Dec. 1985 were analysed to determine parameters of radiotherapy associated to disease states. Survival rate was highest among the reported ($82.8{\%}$ for crude and $82.4{\%}$ for disease free survival). Pelvic control rate in 6 weeks after the end of radiotherapy was $93.6{\%}$ in the patients treated with ICR following total pelvic radiation and $71.6{\%}$ with small field additional external irradiation. 5 year survival rate in those who achieved pelvic control was $98.9{\%}$ and $12.9{\%}$ in those who had pelvic failure and/or metastasis after radiation. The survival rate figured maximal $88.5{\%}$ with dosage of $7500{\~}8500$ cGy to point A with acceptable incidence of complications ($4.9{\%}$) but without increasing survival above it and minimal $74.1{\%}$ with dosage of less than 6500 cGy. The treatment failure was counted $18.7{\%}$ (62 of 331 patients): Local failure $72.6{\%}$ (45 of 62 patients), locoregional failure $3.2{\%}$ (2 of 62 patients) and distant failure $24{\%}$ (15 of 62 patients). Late complications were found in 50 patients ($15.1{\%}$) and $42{\%}$ of them was rectal bleeding and stenosis. The dose of 8500 cGy to point A was found to be critical for complication and $70{\%}$ of complications occurred above it and was more serious one such as fistula. Rectal complications were developed above rectal dose 6500 cGy and bladder complication above bladder dose 7500 cGy. Major cause of death was cachexia due to locoregional failure ($73.7{\%}$ of death), next was due to metastasis to lung, liver and bone, and only 3 patients died of complication of intestinal perforations and obstruction. In conclusion higher external radiation dose for a bulky uterine cervix and barrel shaped uterus was essential for local control.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.255-262
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• 1997

Purpose : This is retrospective study to compare the results of radiation therapy alone and neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation in advanced stage of uterine cervical cancer. Materials and Methods : Seventy-six Patients who were treated with definitive radiation therapy for locally advanced cervical cacinoma between June 1988 and December 1993 at the department of radiation oncology, Keimyung University Dong-san Hospital. Thirty six patients were treated with radiation therapy alone and forty patients were treated with cisplatin based neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. According to FIGO staging system. there were 48 patients in stage IIb, 3 patients in stage IIIa, 23 patients in stage lIIb and two patients in stage IVa with median age of 53 years old. Follow-up periods ranged from 7 to 95 months with median 58 months. Results : Complete response (CR) rate were $86.1\%$ in radiation alone group and $80\%$ in chemoradiation group. There was no statistical difference in CR rate between the two groups. Overall five-year survival rate was $67.3\%$. According to stage, overall five-rear survival rates were $74\%$ in stage IIb, $66.7\%$ in stage IIIa, $49.8\%$ in stage IIb, $50\%$ in stage IVa. According to treatment modality overall five year survival rates were $74.1\%$ in radiation alone and $61.4\%$ in chemoradiation group (P=0.4) Five rear local failure free survival rates were $71.5\%$ in radiation alone group and $60\%$ in chemoradiation group (P=0.17). Five year distant metastasis free survival rates were $80.7\%$ in radiation aione group and $89.9\%$ in chemoradiation group (P=0.42). Bone marrow suppression (more than noted in 3 cases of radiaion alone group and 1 case of chemoradiation group. Grade II retal complication was noted in 5 patients of radiation group and 4 patients In chemoradiation group. Bowel obstruction treated with conservative treatment (1 patient) and bowel perforation treated with surgery (1 patient) were noted in radiation alone group. There was no statistical difference in complication between two groups. Conclusion : There was no statistical difference in survival, failure and complication between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation versus radiation alone in locally advanced uterine cervical carcinoma.