Description

Radiotherapy is an important potentially curative treatment for cervical cancer, and is the treatment of choice for locally advanced disease. However, it inevitably affects normal tissues within the irradiated volume. Acute effects occur 10 to 14 days after treatment starts, lasting up to 3 months. Late effects present from 6 months to 10 years following treatment. Assumption that symptoms such as bleeding or pain means tumour recurrence may lead to investigations that are potentially harmful in late radiation-induced tissue damage. For example, inappropriate biopsies may lead to local necrosis or fistula formation. The effects of radiotherapy should be monitored over time, and findings communicated with other professionals involved in the patient’s care. Several different morbidity-scoring systems are being studied, but no universal form has yet been adopted.