Carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with external irradiation alone

One hundred and four out of 2701 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix were treated with a curative intent by external irradiation alone at the National Cancer Center Hospital from 1962 to 1979. All patients were judged inappropriate for the combined treatment of intracavitary and external irradiation, which was the treatment of choice for patients with advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix in the hospital. The 5-year survival rate was 17% overall and 36, 17, and 5% for patients with Stage II, III, and IV disease, respectively. The local control rate was 20%, at 2 years, for all patients. Major complications were observed in five patients. There were no major complications in patients given a total dose of less than 115 in the Time Dose Fractionation factor (TDF). External irradiation combined with interstitial irradiation and/or hyperthermia is being considered to improve the results.