Stage IB carcinoma of the cervix, the Norwegian Radium Hospital, 1968-1970: results of treatment and major complications. I. Lymphedema.

Different methods of treatment have been debated over the years for Stage IB carcinoma of the cervix, especially in view of the results and complications. We have reviewed the experience of the Norwegian Radium Hospital for carcinoma of the cervix, Stage IB, for the years 1968, 1969, and 1970; most of the patients receive preoperative intrauterine and intravaginal radium, followed by radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy; if the nodes are involved, they also receive external pelvic irradiation. During this period, 437 patients had Stage IB; the 5 year survival was 80.2% (not corrected). We focused our attention on lymphedema following such a method of treatment; of 402 patients operated upon, 23.4% developed lymphedema ranging from mild to moderate to severe; 20 patients (5%) had severe lymphedema; factors involved are analyzed.