Advanced stage IIIB cancer of the cervix treatment by hyperthermia and radiation

Treatment records of patients with primary untreated Stage IIIB carcinoma of the cervix treated at Indiana University Department of Radiation Oncology from November 1964 through January 1979 were reviewed. During this period, 79 patients were treated; 46 received external therapy using cobalt-60, 15 received a 25-MV photon beam, and 18 received a 25-MV photon beam followed by 45 min of 434-MHz microwave hyperthermia producing central tumor core temperatures of 39.5 to 41.5 degrees C. All patients received similar doses of radiation using combination intracavitary radioactive isotopes and external therapy. Patients who received heat therapy in combination with radiation therapy did not have increased acute or chronic complications of normal tissues. Local tumor control was superior when regional heat therapy was given; however, long-term absolute survival rates were not affected as the survival rate at 5 years was not statistically different in any of the three treatment groups.