(60)Cobalt vs. linear accelerator in the treatment of locally advanced cervix carcinoma: a comparison of survival and recurrence patterns

Objective: To compare the survival and recurrence patterns of patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma treated with (60)cobalt radiotherapy u nits and linear accelerators. Methods: Two hundred and forty-eight patients with cervical carcinoma stage s IIB-IVA who were treated with primary irradiation between the: years 1985 and 1988 comprised the study group. The median survival of patients treate d with (60)cobalt units and linear accelerators was calculated using the me thod of Kaplan and Meier and compared using the log-rank test. Recurrence p atterns were compared using chi-square analysis: p < .05 was considered sig nificant for all tests. Results: One hundred and ninety-five patients were treated with (60)cobalt units (Group 1) and 53 patients were treated with a linear accelerator (Gro up 2). Group 1 and 2 were similar with regard to mean age and weight, stage distribution, and mean dose to point A. The rate of recurrence wits compar able between Group 1 and 2 (65.6% vs. 64.2%) and no significant difference was found in overall survival between the groups (20 months vs. 21 months. p = 81). There was a trend toward increasing pelvic recurrence in Group 1 ( 50.8%) compared to Group 2 (35.8%. p = .08). Conclusions: (60)Cobalt units and linear accelerators offer comparable rate s of overall survival in patients with locally advanced cervix carcinoma.