Radiotherapy following primary surgery for carcinoma of uterine cervix

Eighty-two patients given salvage radiotherapy for post-operative residual or recurrent carcinoma of uterine cervix are retrospectively reviewed. Nine of the 10 patients with definitive residual disease compared to seven of the 44 patients with suspected residual disease died of their malignancy. The indications for radiotherapy in the latter group are discussed. It seems likely, but cannot be proved, that a high proportion of the survivors were salvaged by radiotherapy. Thirteen of the 28 patients treated for recurrence were alive and disease free at five years. Radiotherapy techniques are described. The addition of brachytherapy to radical teletherapy to whole pelvis seems to improve local control rates. In favourable cases with only suspected residual disease at the vaginal vault brachytherapy alone is probably sufficient.