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Rectosigmoid Complications of Radiotherapy in Stage 3B Carcinoma of the Cervix
Author(s) -
Vyas Rakesh Kumar,
Dixit Sanjay,
Singhal Sandip,
Baboo Harshad A.,
Aurora Dayal C.,
Venkatratnam S.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1996.tb02929.x
Subject(s) - medicine , radiation therapy , stage (stratigraphy) , cervix , rectosigmoid colon , carcinoma , surgery , retrospective cohort study , cervix carcinoma , radiology , rectum , cervical carcinoma , cancer , cervical cancer , paleontology , biology
Summary A retrospective analysis of 165 patients with Stage 3 B carcinoma of the cervix treated with radiotherapy alone was done; 120 patients were treated with a combination of external radiotherapy and intracavitary treatment while 45 patients received external radiotherapy only. Early rectosigmoid reactions were seen in 65% of cases with Grade 1, 2 and 3 reactions in 40%, 20% and 5% of cases respectively. Late rectosigmoid sequelae were observed in 25 patients (16%) with moderate complications in 5%. Severe rectal complications were seen in 2 women only. Rectosigmoid complications are the most common sequelae of pelvic irradiation and seen more in advanced stages where a greater dose is given by external radiotherapy. The role of rectal dosimetry is equivocal if proper precautions are taken during intracavitary treatment.