High dose remote afterloading radiotherapy for cervix carcinoma in Tanzania: early results

From February 1977 through January 1979, 206 patients with histologically confirmed cervix carcinoma were treated with high dose rate afterloading irradiation at the Muhimbili Medical Center of the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Tribal and regional patterns of disease conform to geographical distributions of referring hospitals. The age at presentation, namely, at over 40 years, is similar to that reported elsewhere from East Africa. Parity among patients ranged from 0 to 14 pregnancies. Vaginal bleeding was the most common symptom in 69 percent of patients. Squamous cell carcinoma was noted in 96 percent of cases. Seventy-six percent of patients had early stage disease. Good initial responses to treatment were recorded in 57 percent of patients. Follow-up of cervical cancer patients is poor. Fifty-six (27 percent) patients were followed 1 to 17 months after treatment. Due to poor follow-up, no definite conclusions are reached regarding late radiation reactions and patient survival. The role or radiotherapy in reducing morbidity, however, is of importance.