Treatment of primary invasive cervical cancer. Considerations on 997 consecutive cases

From 1965 to 1979 997 consecutive cervical cancer patients were treated at the University of Brescia. Stage I B and II A low risk patients underwent radical surgery, followed by Co60 external pelvic radiation when positive nodes and/or adverse pathological factors on the specimens were encountered. In stage I B the 5-year survival was 95.9% and 82.7% in the two groups and in stage II A 93.3% and 76.5% respectively. Bulky and large tumors were treated by intracavitary radium followed by radical hysterectomy and, if indicated, by Co60 external beam pelvic radiation. All other patients and all stage II B were treated by radiotherapy. The results of primary radical surgery may reflect the favourable preselection of cases. Postoperative radiation teletherapy in case of adverse pathological factors is of benefit to the patients.