Carcinoma cervix treated with Radiotherapy - Our experience with emphasis on our concerns

Abstract

Objective: Carcinoma cervix is the commonest cancer seen in our department. The purpose of this study is to discuss the unique problems we have encountered and address our concerns. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was done on 257 patients with carcinoma cervix seen between 1998 and 2005. A descriptive analysis was done wherein the proportion of patients coming from rural areas, the results of treatment and complications were brought out. Results: More than 50% (140/257) of the patients were from the rural areas. Sixty (23%) were defaulters and 197 (77%) completed the scheduled treatment. Forty four out of 197 (22%) received palliative RT and 153/197 (78%) who received curative treatment were analyzed. Status of 54 patients were unknown because 24 patients were from the camp and 30 patients were lost to follow-up. Thus, 78/99 (79%) patients were NED. Conclusion: A similar disease pattern and patient characteristics are expected in future. Communication with referring doctors, effective counseling of patients and relatives during treatment will hopefully bring down the default rates and the number of cases lost to follow up. © 2010 Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI).