PURPOSE: The authors undertook this study to evaluate the results of r
adiation therapy (RT) for vaginal recurrence in early stage endometria
l carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1964 and 1987,34 patients
with isolated vaginal recurrences of endometrial carcinoma were treate
d with RT. The records were reviewed for outcome and prognostic factor
s, such as location of tumor recurrence, time to recurrence, size of t
umor at recurrence, tumor differentiation, and total radiation dose de
livered at RT. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 48 months, the 5-ye
ar actuarial survival and disease-free survival rates were 68% +/- 4 a
nd 60% +/- 3, respectively. Results were statistically significant for
some prognostic factors, including time to tumor recurrence and total
radiation dose delivered at RT to the recurring tumor. CONCLUSION. Lo
ng-term survival can be obtained for patients with an isolated vaginal
recurrence of endometrial cancer treated with aggressive local-region
al radiation therapy.