Background: Radiotherapy is one of the main therapeutic strategies used in cervical cancer. The first radiotherapy services
in Cameroon have existed since 1987 and still treat by conventional
radiation techniques. With the evolution of radiation techniques, acute, subacute,
and late complications are minimized. Our study aimed to describe the profile
of side effects in patients with uterine
cervix cancer treated by conventional radiotherapy, still used in our services. Methods: This was a retrospective
and descriptive study of the records
of patients treated in the radiotherapy department of the Douala General
Hospital from January 2015 to December 2019. Data concerning radiation-induced
toxicities were collected using the CTCAE Version 4.0 classification.
Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: A total of
270 records were selected. The median age was 54 years. The mean total
radiation dose was 55.9 ± 11.8 Gy and 71.1% of patients were treated for less
than 8 weeks. We found a frequency of 66.7% of radio-induced lesions with 99%
being acute. The main acute lesions encountered were radio dermatitis (40%),
radiation cystitis (17.7%), and radiation proctitis (17.1%). As late lesions,
we found one case of vaginal fibrosis (0.4%). Exclusive radiotherapy, classical
fractionation, and total doses lower than 45 Gy seemed to decrease the toxicity
linked to conventional radiotherapy. Conclusion: The frequency of side
effects of radiotherapy for cervical cancer at the Douala General Hospital
remains high. Early lesions are the most encountered but strategies should be
put in place to better evaluate late lesions.
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