Pattern of failure in stage IB-IIA cervical cancer after radical hysterectomy

Site of recurrence and survival data were reviewed for 379 stage IB (322) a nd IIA (57) cervical cancer patients treated with primary radical hysterect omy. The incidence of positive nodes was 26.4% in stage IB and 38.6% in sta ge IIA. 201 (53%) cases were treated with post-operative RT for nodal metas tases and/or unfavorable prognostic factors on surgical specimen. Overall r ecurrence rate was 25% (IB=22%, IIA=25). 13.6% (30/220) in node-negative pa tients (19=63.3% pelvic and 11=36.7% distant) and 43.8% (35/80) in node-pos itive ones (10=28.6% pelvic and 25=71.4% distant). Postoperative RT reduced the relative percentage of pelvic relapses (31% vs 69.6% after surgery alo ne). 73% was diagnosed within 2 year follow-up (58/79) with shorter disease -free interval for positive nodes, distant recurrence and combined treatmen t. The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 12% for relapsing patients (pelvi s=22%, 3%=distant location, N-=22%, N+=7%).