New advances in radiation oncology for gynecologic cancer

In 1992, the American Cancer Society anticipates that there will be 1,130,000 new cases of invasive cancer diagnosed in the United States. About 66,500 will be invasive cancers of the cervix, uterus, and ovary. About 22,400 patients will die during 1992, with 50-60% of those deaths being due to persistent local regional disease. Data are available to suggest that a reduction in local failure will be reflected by an increase in survival free of disease. In 1992, major efforts are being made to reduce the incidence of local failure. Three areas in this regard are innovative uses of brachytherapy, intraarterial chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and continuous infusion chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These new techniques show significant reduction in local failure with associated improvement in survival. The data will be presented to illustrate the impact of these techniques.