The Relationship of Reactions to Complications in the Radiation Therapy of Cancer of the Cervix

Abstract

A review was made of the reactions and complications associated with high-dose radiation therapy of invasive carcinoma of the cervix in 410 patients. In all patients a combination of intracavitary and external therapy had been given. Either a bowel or urinary tract reaction or both developed in 133 of the 410 patients; one or more complications occurred in 94. As the severity of bowel reactions increased, the subsequent complication rate increased significantly, but 39% of those with bowel complications and 88% of those with urinary tract complications had no warning reaction.