[Radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix using high dose rate intracavitary irradiation].

From January 1981 to December 1990, 214 uterine cervical squamous cell carcinomas were treated with external irradiation and high dose rate intracavitary irradiation (RALS). We used Henschke-type applicators for the vaginal ovoids during the intracavitary irradiation. According to the FIGO classification, 34 cases were stage I, 76 stage II, 83 stage III and 21 stage IV. The 5-year survival rates of stage I, II, III and IV patients were 96.6%, 73.9%, 46.3% and 26.1%, respectively. The incidence of local recurrence was 20.6%, that of distant metastasis 14.8% and that of late complication 14.0% in this series. These results are comparable to those previously reported. We think that Henschke-type applicators are suitable for women of advanced age because of the ease of insertion. The prognosis of patients who developed local recurrence or distant metastasis after irradiation was extremely poor. However, aggressive treatment for distant metastases prolonged survival, especially in patients with lymph node metastases.