PHASE-III TRIAL COMPARING 2 LOW-DOSE RATES IN BRACHYTHERAPY OF CERVIX CARCINOMA - REPORT AT 2 YEARS

This Phase III randomized trial examined the effect of two low dose rates (0.73 or 0.38 Gy . h-1) on the local control, survival, relapse-free survival, complications, and secondary effects in the treatment of cervical cancers. A total of 204 Stage Ib or II cervical carcinoma patients were included between January 1985 and September 1988. Treatment consisted of uterovaginal Cs-137 irradiation followed by surgery. The two groups were similar for age, tumor stage and medical or surgical history. Their brachytherapy parameters were also similar (60 Gy pear dimensions, dose to critical organs, total kerma, etc. . . .) There were no differences in the short-term effects or therapeutic outcome. However, overall complications and side effects observed after 6 months were significantly more frequent (p < 0.01) in the higher dose rate group.