Factors affecting survival in stage I and state II carcinoma of the cervix

Eighty-eight cases of Stage I and Stage II carcinoma of the cervix treated with radiotherapy at the University of North Carolina Memorial Hospital between April 1969 and July 1971 are reviewed. The question of whether the radiation time-dose-fraction relationship can be applied to the combination of external beam and intracavitary therapy used in the treatment of cervical carcinoma is studied. Formulas are outlined which enable one to calculate a total Rad Equivalent Therapy (RET) value, including the contribution from both the fractionated external beam and intracavitary therapy. Both the calculated RET value and the rad dose to Point A show good correlation with control of local disease in this retrospective analysis; however, the RET value may be more applicable when deviations from the standard time-dose-fraction relationship have occurred.