IS THERE A ROLE FOR ADJUVANT PELVIC RADIOTHERAPY AFTER RADICAL HYSTERECTOMY IN EARLY STAGE CERVICAL-CANCER

This paper addresses evolving concepts in the definition and management of patients with invasive cervical cancer Stages IB and 1IA who are at increased risk for recurrence after radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The discussion will be restricted to the more common histological types, squamous and adenocarcinomas, and their variants. It is suggested that outcome is determined both by lymph node metastases and by certain attributes of the primary tumor. There is evidence that the anatomic sites of relapse for tumor-associated and nodal-associated risk factors may be dissimilar, which suggests different therapeutic approaches and opportunities for improving outcome. © 1991 Blackwell Science Ltd.