Abstract

Twenty-one patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma, who all thought to refractory to conventional treatment modality, i.e., mass size above 5 cm in shortest diameter and/or had poor response to radiotherapy at the dose of 3000 cGy/3 wk, treated with combined radiotherapy and hyperthermia between May 1985 and December 1987, at the Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, were retrospectively analysed. 8 MHz radiofrequency capacitive type of hyperthermia was combined with radiotherapy in 21 patients. Extemal radiothcrapy with a total dose of 4500-6000 cGy/4-6 wk and high dose rate ICR with a total dose 3000-390(l cGy in 10-13 fractions/4 wks were given. Hyperthermia was given twice a week with a total of 4 10 treatment sessions. In all cases hyperthermia was given within 30 minutes after radiotherapy. Temperature was measured by inserting thermocouple through the vaginal fornix and an attempt was made to maintain 40C or above for at least 30 minutes. As a result, CR was achived in 15 patients(17%), and PR in 6 patients. The overall response rate was 100%. Side effects were 1 case of pelvic abscess, 2 second degree burn, and 4 fat necrosis, and prognostic factors associated with tumor response.