PREOPERATIVE IRRADIATION IN STAGE III CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Abstract

A series of 456 patients with malignant epithelial tumors of the ovary clinical stage III is presented. Of these, 96 were initially inoperable, and 49 had a clinical diagnosis of inoperable disease at the 1st examination. After 3000 rads external high voltage irradiation it was possible to remove the primary tumor, uterus and omentum in 36 (38%) of the previously inoperable patients. Of the 49 patients who had only a clinical diagnosis of inoperability, only 4 were inoperable at laparotomy performed 3 wk after completion of 3000 rads external radiotherapy. The 5 yr survival rate for the whole series was 16%.