Squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: radiation therapy for patients aged 70 years and older.

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Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of radiation therapy for elderly patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred ninety-three patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix underwent external pelvic irradiation and three sessions of low-dose-rate intracavitary irradiation. One hundred twenty-six patients were aged 70 years or older (elderly group), and 167 patients were aged 69 years or younger (younger group). Survival rates, pattern of failure, local control rates, and complications for the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The 5-year, cause-specific survival rates for the elderly group with stage I, II, III, or IV disease were 100%, 81%, 73%, and 54%, respectively. Corresponding rates for the younger group were 100%, 92%, 74%, and 32%. Differences in survival curves, patterns of failure, recurrence rates, and incidences of radiation complications for the two groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Age did not influence the effectiveness of radiation therapy for the elderly patients.

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