EFFECTS OF PREOPERATIVE IRRADIATION ON ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE UTERUS

Abstract 1. 1. The technique is given for the treatment of carcinoma of the uterine fundus by combined x-ray and radium therapy, as employed at the Mercy Hospital Institute of Radiation Therapy. 2. 2. A group of 77 proved cases of adenocarcinoma have been divided into those receiving preoperative and postoperative irradiation. The patients receiving preoperative radiation therapy are grouped clinically and graded microscopically. 3. 3. Eleven patients receiving preoperative irradiation were hysterectomized. Five of the uteri adequately treated according to our method were free of carcinoma. Serial blocks of four of these five uteri failed to reveal residual carcinoma. The remaining 6 patients considered as inadequately treated all had active carcinoma remaining in the uterus. 4. 4. The 27 remaining cases, irradiated but not hysterectomized, add further evidence as demonstrated by curettage or follow-up that adequate irradiation in clinical Group I or II carcinomas of the fundus has a definite value. 5. 5. Although we cannot advocate this treatment as a substitute for surgery in patients who are good surgical risks, we feel that our plan of preoperative irradiation should be carried on until sufficient case records are on hand to determine whether the five-year salvage is greater than in cases treated by surgery and postoperative irradiation.