[Effect of high-dose preoperative intracavitary radiotherapy on uterine size and early operability in patients with corpus carcinoma].

22 patients with corpus carcinoma were treated by intracavitary irradiation by the after-loading technique (Cathetron) during three sessions separated by one-week intervals. The weeks after radiotherapy, hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed. Changes in uterine size were observed during and after radiotherapy with the help of an uterine probe and by ultrasound-B-examination. The uterus was found to increase in size during radiotherapy. Measurement with the probe showed an average longitudinal increase of 1.2 cm, whereas ultrasonic examination revealed an increase in length by 1.7 cm and an anteroposterior distension of the fundus uteri by 0.9 cm. No technical difficulties were encountered during early surgery preceded by radiotherapy. Ehin, readily removable adhesions were found in six cases, and symptoms of irritation were seen in the rectal wall and in the peritoneum in one. No postoperative complications occurred in any of the patients.