[Results of radiotherapy of 406 carcinomas of the cervix (T2 distal and T3). Comparison between classical irradiation in one phase and split-course irradiation (author's transl)]

Bull Cancer. 1979;66(5):549-54.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Between 1963 and 1971, a total of 406 inoperable cases of cervical cancer were treated by high-dose radiotherapy at the Centre René-Huguenin. Most of the patients (243) were irradiated by continuous therapy. In the other group (163) there was a 3-week interval in the middle of the treatment. The five-year survival rates (direct method) were respectively 60 and 39 per cent for the patients staged as T2 and T3. Local cure rates were 85 per cent for T2 and 65 per cent for T3. Unfortunately a high rate of complications was noted (12%), 4 per cent of which were fatal. Classical radiotherapy proved to be more beneficial than "split-course" technique considering survival rates. Yet, the rate of local cure is identical in both procedures, and the large rate of death in "split-course" seems to be irrespective of the method. Nevertheless, we have abandoned the "split-course" because the incidence of sequelae had not improved and in as much as the total dose had been reduced, the continuation of such therapy was less justified.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / radiotherapy*