Radiosensitivity test for cancer of the uterine cervix

In selecting the method of treating uterine cervical cancer, radiosensitivity is one of the most important factors. To know this factor before treatment, we are trying to estimate radiosensitivity with changes of primary tumors before and after the irradiation. Tumors must be irradiated uniformly with small doses, and based on these considerations, we are attempting external test irradiation for estimation of radiosensitivity. Radiosensitivity was determined histopathologically by comparing the results of histological specimens taken before and seven days after test irradiation. Radiosensitivity is closely related to prognosis: of 183 cases with good sensitivity, 146 cases (79.8%) were surviving at five years after radiotherapy. On the other hand, the five-year survival rate of cases with poor sensitivity was only 37.2%. Comparing radiation with operation in operable cases of stage I and II, the five-year survival rate in cases with good sensitivity was about the same (90%). On the contrary, in cases with poor sensitivity, there was a substantial difference: that is, 66.0% of operated cases had a five-year survival compared with 39.7% of radiated cases.