Complications in patients receiving both irradiation and radical hysterectomy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

One hundred and two patients with invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix, stages IB, IIA, and selected IA and IIB, were treated using combined radiation therapy and radical hysterectomy. Of these, 88 received approximately 2000 rad of pelvic external radiation and a single 5000-6000 mgh intracavitary implant. Major complications were observed in 5 patients. These resolved spontaneously in 1, and were surgically managed in satisfactory manner in the other 4. Only two of the complications occurred in patients receiving low dose preoperative irradiation. The likelihood of complications was closely related to the radiation dosage. Preoperative radiation prior to radical hysterectomy can be given safely provided that dosimetric principles are observed, and that the radiation and surgical techniques are integrated closely.