The Prognostic Significance of Tumor Response During Radiotherapy in Cervical Carcinoma

Abstract

Tumor response was assessed in 532 patients with epidermoid carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Tumor regression was estimated during weekly intervals up to eight weeks after the start of radiotherapy. Four response groups with distinct prognoses were identified: (a) excellent (75–100% tumor regression by the eighth week, 77-mo. median survival time); (b) good (50–75% tumor regression, 57-mo. median survival time); (c) fair (25–50% tumor regression, 29-mo. median survival time); and (d) poor (0–25% tumor regression, 17-mo. median survival time). Clinical staging and treatment factors contributed little that would explain this behavior. The significance of tumor response during radiotherapy is explained analytically. When tumor response is assessed during radiotherapy, a prognosis can be made.