DECLINING USE OF RADIOTHERAPY FOR INVASIVE CERVICAL-CANCER IN CONNECTICUT - 1983-1990

Data on the use of radiotherapy (i.e., external irradiation and/ or in tracavitary radioactive implants) in the first course of treatment wer e examined for ah 1286 invasive cervical cancer cases diagnosed betwee n 1983 and 1990 among Connecticut residents, These data, from a popula tion-based cancer registry, reflect actual treatment practices in the geographic area under study. Use of radiotherapy declined from 62% in 1983 to 43% in 1990 (trend test P < 0.001); for ''local '''' -stage ca ncers, the decline was from 50% in 1983 to 27% in 1990 (P < 0.001). Su rveys are needed on physicians' attitudes and decisions regarding alte rnative treatments for cervical cancer. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.