Late radiotherapeutic morbidity in patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix: the application of the French-Italian glossary

Radiother Oncol. 1996 Aug;40(2):153-7. doi: 10.1016/0167-8140(96)01768-9.

Abstract

Background and purpose: The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of the complications observed and the importance of delayed symptoms for radiotherapeutic morbidity in patients treated by radiotherapy alone for cervical cancer.

Materials and methods: From 1979 to 1991, 145 patients with primary uterine cervical cancer were treated with external radiotherapy and intracavitary applications. During the follow-up, all signs, symptoms and therapy of late treatment complications were recorded. Complications were graded according to the French-Italian glossary. This glossary is used for recording morbidity after treatment of gynaecological cancer.

Results: Overall, 119 late complications were recorded. They were most frequently located in the gastro-intestinal system (53%) with a median time to development of 9 months. Urinary complications were recorded in 20%. Very few complications were recorded in vagina/uterus (12%) and pelvic soft tissue (5%). The probability of surviving without tumour recurrence and/or late combined moderate to severe organ morbidity decreased with increasing FIGO stage.

Conclusions: For reporting gynaecological morbidity, the French-Italian glossary is useful. Treatment optimization must take into account actuarial estimates of survival and morbidity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Urologic Diseases / etiology*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / mortality
  • Uterine Neoplasms / radiotherapy*