Survival and complications in Stage 1 carcinoma of corpus uteri receiving post-operative irradiation

243 Patients with carcinoma of corpus uteri were seen between 1980 and 1985, of which 175 Stage I cases were treated by one of six treatment protocols. The survivals of all six groups were comparable. Their complications are correlated with treatment and the time-dose factor (TDF) and extrapolated response dose (ERD) units for rectal radiation dose. As a result, a treatment policy has been adopted for Stage I disease. Total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is followed by radiotherapy, based on the pathology report. Patients with well differentiated (Grade I) adenocarcinoma infiltrating only as far as the inner third om the myometrium have 33 Gy at 0.5 cm depth from the surface of the upper 3 cm of a vaginal applicator as a single treatment, at a dose rate of 1 Gy/h. In 48 patients there has to date been no significant reaction nor recurrent carcinoma. Fifty-three patients with more aggressive or invasive tumours were treated by external telecobalt irradiation to the pelvis, 45 Gy in 5 weeks, followed by intravaginal application of 15 Gy at 0.5 cm depth. Six percent had significant reactions, 94% are alive at 1-3 years and none has had a pelvic recurrence