Carcinoma cervicis uteri. Long-term follow-up therapeutic results.

ABSTRACT

The principle of the therapy of carcinoma cervicis uteri in the Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Oncology in Brno is the combination of betatron megavoltage irradiation and cobalt 60 irradiation with intracavital radium irradiation. On the basis of many years' study concerning the therapy and therapeutic results of this tumor accurate directions of total therapy were elaborated. Carcinoma is diagnosed and classified precisely according to valid international directions. In addition to basic examination, limb lymphography was introduced giving the strategy of irradiation when lymphatic system is involved and in early stages of the disease. By preliminary evaluation of the obtained data a certain improvement of therapeutic results is proven. About 15% more patients are alive till 5 years without any signs of the disease than in precedent years. In spite of a high dose summation given by the extent of megavoltage irradiation the number of postirradiation reaction, nor early late, is increased to much. Complex therapy of this tumor is performed by a team of physicians composed of gynecologist, radiologist, rentgendiagnosticist, pathologist, and radiation physicist. By increasing the number of cured patients and their return and enclosure into further working process the savings in state budget are achieved. The effectiveness of the carcinoma cervicis uteri therapy is therefore dependent not only on earlier diagnosis and modern irradiation technique, but also on the cooperation of a team of physicians who plan, perform and follow the therapy.