[Recent trends in the therapy of vaginal carcinoma]

The presented paper gives a historic review of the change from the contact therapy to the percutaneous irradiation. The dominating role of radiotherapy compared to surgery is pointed out. With the help of therapeutic planning in Giessen an aimed pendulum irradiation, a high-volume percutaneous irradiation, a modern high-intensity afterloading system (Buchler), and an interstitial therapy are reported. Recently published important cure rates are shown in a table. The 5-year survival rate of 78 patients in Giessen from 1957-1975 was 42.3%. The discussion concentrates on the tolerance dose of the vagina according to the different dose rates and fractionations.