DISCUSSION
The primary aims of this study were to analyze the tumor response, the disease free and overall survival rates in patients with carcinoma cervix. The secondary aims of the study were to analyze the treatment toxicity and quality of life before, during and after the treatment. A total of 45 patients who fulfilled the criteria were included in the study. All patients included in the study completed the treatment schedule. There were no dropouts in this study.
The mean age of this study population was 57 years.
The overall survival after one year in this study group is 98%. Only one patient died. The patient had recurrence and the cause of death was renal failure.
The disease free survival in this study group was 82% after one year. 8 patients developed recurrence (7 developed local recurrence and one had distant metastasis).Cervix was the most common site of recurrence brain was the site of distant metastasis. There is significant reduction of the size of the tumor after concurrent chemo radiation.
In the present study, 26(57.8%) patients were stage 2B,1(2.2%) patient was stage
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There is increase in lymph edema after the treatment, which may be attributed to radiation. There is increase in peripheral neuropathy also after the treatment. There are no significant changes in menopausal symptoms, sexual worry and sexual activity when compared to the pre treatment status. Aggravation of symptoms was observed during treatment. The global health status, physical functioning, emotional functioning, cognitive functioning and social functioning decreased during treatment but significantly improved after treatment. Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain, insomnia, diarrhea and financial difficulties increased during treatment but significantly reduced after treatment. There was no significant change in the occurrence of