Prognostic factors in stage IB-IIA cervical carcinomas treated with postoperative radiotherapy

Purpose: This study investigated the prognostic significance of age, stage, tumor size, pelvic lymph node metastasis (PLM), surgical margin invasion, overall radiotherapy time (ORT), and interval between radiotherapy and surg ery (IRS) in stage IB-IIA cervical carcinoma. Method and Materials: 100 patients treated with radical hysterectomy and po stoperative radiotherapy were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The 5-yr overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and p elvic control rate (PC) were 83.6%, 82.8%, and 91.8%, respectively. PLM (p= 0.008), IRS (p=0.01), ORT (p=0.007), and tumor size (p=0.028) were found to be significant on PC. PLM (p=0.04), ORT (p=0.04), and IRS (p=0.01) were si gnificant on OS. PLM was significant (p=0.04) and IRS was marginally signif icant (p=0.06) on DFS. After multivariate analysis, PLM was significant on OS, DFS and PC. Recurrences were seen in 14 patients. Conclusion: According to this study PLM, IRS, and ORT are the most importan t prognostic factors. Recurrences outside the radiation volume leads to tre atment failure.