Radiotherapy for cancer of the cervix in morbidly obese women: Preliminaryresults

A retrospective four-year review showed that six morbidly obese (greater th an or equal to 40 kg/m(2)) women, two of whom underwent pre-irradiation sim ple hysterectomy, were definitively treated with radiation for cancer of th e cervix. All cases were FIGO stage TB. The average age was 49 years and av erage body mass index 49 kg/m(2). Radiotherapy consisted of external beam p elvic irradiation and low-dose rate or high-dose rate brachytherapy applica tions. During a follow-up period ranging from 9 to 46 months, all women wer e alive and free of neoplastic disease as well as complications. Albeit lun e-term outcome data are not yet available, we believe that morbidly obese w omen with early stage cervical cancer who are not suitable candidates for c urative surgery may derive beneficial effects from appropriately applied de finitive radiotherapy.