Abstract

The objective of this article was to analyze the treatment modalities used at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute, with particular emphasis on the use of radiotherapy (RT) and its indications in invasive cervical cancer, considering the staging and clinical epidemiological characteristics of the population. All cases of primary invasive tumors of the cervix (CID C53) registered at the institute and diagnosed between 1999 and 2004 were selected. The following variables were studied: (1) age, (2) year of diagnosis, (3) level of schooling, (4) race, (5) histopathologic subtype, (6) the staging of the tumor on diagnosis, and (7) the treatment modality initially offered. We analyzed 3509 cases of invasive disease, and 79.7% of them received RT. Based on the final logistic model, it was possible to construct a probabilistic model for the indication of RT in the subgroups formed by the combinations of the 3 highlighted variables (stage, age, and histological type). The likelihood varied from 22.5% in those with epidermoid carcinoma, stage I, younger than 55 years up to 100% in those with locally advanced disease and older than 65 years. These results indicate the importance of RT as a modality of treatment of invasive cervical cancer in Brazil, where a substantial proportion of the diagnoses are made in advanced stages. This set of information regarding this important center may help the long-term strategic planning and the allocation of funds that enable the high demand to be met in an optimized manner.