Interstitial radiation for recurrent cervix or endometrial cancer in the suburethral region.

Recurrent tumors in the suburethral area are uncommon, but potentially morbid lesions. Brachytherapy, with or without external beam irradiation, was used to treat 10 consecutive women with lesions ranging from 1-6 cm in the suburethral area. All women achieved local control, with one woman developing a serious complication. Four of the 10 women remain alive without evidence of disease. A high rate of distant metastasis in those women who have recurred despite previous adjuvant pelvic radiation following hysterectomy for endometrial cancer should prompt the investigation of effective systemic chemotherapeutic agents.