We aimed to analyze the treatment results and the acute and late side effects in patients with stage I endometrial carcinoma receiving adjuvant radiotherapy.
METHODS
Two hundred sixty-three patients with stage I endometrial
adenocarcinoma, who were treated with postoperative
radiotherapy between 1978 and 1998, were analyzed
retrospectively. According to the 1988-FIGO staging system,
the disease was stage IA in 19, stage IB in 128, and stage IC
in 116 patients. One hundred and ninety-seven patients were
treated with external and intracavitary irradiation, 45 patients
with external radiotherapy and 21 patients with vaginal
brachytherapy.
RESULTS
The 10-year local control, disease-free and actuarial survival
rates were 96%, 93% and 95%, respectively. Fifty-five
patients had late side effects. The late side effects were
significantly higher in patients with acute toxicity and patients
who were treated with external radiotherapy, followed by
brachytherapy.
CONCLUSION
The decision of adjuvant therapy and choice of different treatment
modalities in terms of a reduced risk of recurrence need
to be weighed carefully against the treatment-related morbidity.