Abstract

PURPOSE
This retrospective study was conducted to obtain local response and survival rates, and to analyze prognostic factors affecting survival of patients treated with radio-thermotherapy for stage IIIb uterine cervical cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From May 1992 to Dec. 1996, 24 patients treated with radio-thermo therapy for stage IIIb uterine cervical cancer at department of Radiation Oncology in Kosin Medical College, Kosin University were enrolled. Radiotherapy used 6~10 MV linear accelerator was performed in whole pelvis with 4 portals box technique by conventional (180~200 cGy/ fraction, 5 fraction/week) method in 5 patients (20.8%) or hyperfractionated (120~135 cGy/fr., 2 fr./day, 10 fr./wk) in 19 patients (79.2%). Total dose of A-point was 67~112 Gy (median: 77.27 Gy). Hyperthermia used 8 MHz radiofrequency capacitive heating device was applied in pelvic area with 2~3 sessions per wk. Each course started within 15 to 20 minutes after radio therapy and took 40 to 60 minutes. Local progression free (LPFS), disease free (DFS) and overall (OS) rates were calculated in survival analysis. Statistics was calculated by Kaplan-Meier Method in survival and Log-rank test in statistical significance. Multivariate analysis for prognostic factor was applied to Cox Regression model. Follow-up duration was 6~82 months (median: 25 months).
RESULTS
Overall local response rate was 95.8% (45.8% in CR/50.0% in PR). Five year LPFS, DFS, OS were 48.6%, 31.7%, 67.1%, respectively. In univariate analysis, an age was the signi ficant prognostic factor in terms of OS (p=0.03), but was insignificant in LPFS and DFS. In multivariate analysis, none of evaluated factors are important in LPFS, DFS or OS.
CONCLUSION
Radio-thermotherapy for stage IIIb uterine cervical cancer did not increase 5 year LPFS, DFS and OS in spite of higher local response rate. Age was the only significant factor for OS in univariate analysis.

• Keywords: Cervix neoplasm;Stage IIIb;Radio-thermotherapy;Survival;Prognostic factor