[Side effects of the treatment of cervix cancer]

Between 1962 and 1980, 237 patients with carcinomas of the cervix have been treated at the Radiologic Hospital of the University of Münster. With respect to the year of the treatment, six groups were formed depending on the observation period which was one year, two years, three years, four years, five years or more than five years. 68 women (29%) out of these groups had vesical reactions and 116 (49%) intestinal reactions. Most of the bladder reactions were early reactions appearing during the first three months, and the rate of vesical and intestinal troubles was higher after combined therapy with operation and irradiation than after primary radiotherapy. The therapy effects to bladder and intestine were classified by a method proposed by Holstein and Hess according to which even insignificant troubles are taken into consideration. 15 patients had stases concerning the ureters or kidneys. In five cases a rectovaginal fistula and in four cases a vesicovaginal fistula was demonstrated as a therapy effect. Furthermore, the following reactions were observed: radiation sickness, cutaneous reactions, marked vaginal fluor, heavy lumbago, general abdominal troubles, vaginal bleedings, fever after the insertion of radium as well as thrombosis and embolism.