Clinical patterns and treatment complications of 1000 cases of carcinoma of the uterine cervix

One thousand consecutive cases of carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated in the General Hospital Kuala Lumpur between January 1977 to December 1979 were studied. Epidemiological breakdown by race, age, parity, occupation, stage and histology of the disease were obtained. Treatment complications in survivors available for follow-up were analysed. The Chinese had the highest incidence, followed by the Indians and the Malays. Ninety six percent were squamous cell cancers, the remaining were adenocarcinomas. Eighty percent of patients were seen at an advanced stage (Stage IIB-IV). Late radiation complications were mainly proctitis, cystitis and fistula; (5%, 7.2% and 1.4% respectively). These figures are comparable to many centres but the incidence of cystitis is relatively higher. This is believed to be related to irradiation techniques in these cases.