Long term results of Cathetron high dose rate intracavitary radiotherapy in the treatment of carcinoma of the cervix

Br J Radiol. 1991 Nov;64(767):1036-43. doi: 10.1259/0007-1285-64-767-1036.

Abstract

Between 1967 and 1974, 371 patients with carcinoma of the cervix have been treated by a combination of external beam radiotherapy and fractionated high dose rate brachytherapy using the Cathetron. A retrospective review was undertaken in 1986 and median follow-up time was 6 years. Life table analysis of survival and complications to 16 years was undertaken. International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage distribution was 26%, 46% and 28% for Stages I, II and III, respectively, and 5 year survival was likewise 94% 63% and 37%. Age and histological type or grade were not found to influence survival. Recurrent disease was recorded in 142 patients; the first site was within the pelvis in 25% and as distant metastases in 17%. Following development of pelvic recurrence median survival was 28 weeks. Salvage surgery was performed in 32 patients, of whom five probably obtained survival benefit. Significant late morbidity was seen in a total of 71 patients (19%); in seven patients this was at more than one site. Late morbidity to the small bowel was recorded as Grade 2 in 10 patients and Grade 3 in 13; to the rectum, Grade 2 in 10 patients and Grade 3 in two patients; to the bladder, Grade 2 in 15 patients and to the vagina Grade 2 in 29 patients. Median time to onset for small bowel morbidity was 14 months, for rectum 18 months, for vagina 20 months and for bladder 52 months. 82% of all late morbidity had been seen by 5 years of follow-up, no case of late morbidity of recurrence was seen between 11 and 18 years of follow-up. These results are comparable to those reported for other methods in use at the time the patients were treated.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / mortality
  • Adenocarcinoma / radiotherapy*
  • Adult
  • Brachytherapy / methods*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Survival Rate
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / mortality
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / radiotherapy*