Treatment of para-aortic nodes in carcinoma of the cervix

Thirty-six cases of carcinoma of the cervix with positive pelvic or para-aortic nodesdiagnosed by lymph node scan, lymphangiogram, and/or biopsy have received radiation therapy to the para-aortic nodal area at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Megavoltage radiation delivering a tumor dose of approximately 5000 rads in 5 weekshas been used. Of 26 patients avaiable for foloowup for 2 years, 11 were alive; of 8 followed for 5 years, 4 were alive. The severe complication rate was 19.5%, with a 5.5% mortality. Conclusions an- implications for further therapy are discussed.