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Major surgery after radical radiotherapy. Indications and complications
Author(s) -
Rafla S.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197102)27:2<314::aid-cncr2820270211>3.0.co;2-n
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , radiation therapy , head and neck , radical surgery , cancer
The study of one hundred and forty‐two patients who underwent major surgery after a radical course of radiotherapy for pelvic and head and neck tumors has revealed the following trends: The most important complications in the immediate postoperative period are the problem of healing for tumors of the head and neck (26%) and death (within 30 days) for pelvic tumors (10%). Late results are rather disappointing in tumors in both sites. Forty‐three percent of patients with head and neck tumors suffered from local recurrence, and an additional 11% suffered from severe pain and died. Fifteen per cent of the pelvic tumors recurred; another 9% of patients continued to have residual disease, and 15 experienced severe pain and ultimately died. Only one quarter of the patients were alive and well after 5 years. Patients who undergo surgery because of complications of radiotherapy seem to do significantly better than those with recurrent or residual disease. The latter group has the worse results, whether in the immediate postoperative period or long term. The more limited the operation is, the better the chance of uncomplicated postoperative course and long‐term survival. Younger patients have less postoperative complications and higher 5‐year survival, especially those with cancer of cervix.