Roentgen Therapy of Carcinoma of Female Urethra and Vulva

Abstract

From a review of the literature, it seems that external roentgen therapy has not been used in a systematic way for the treatment of the primary lesion of either carcinoma of the vulva or urethra. Some radiologists have indeed expressed amazement that it can be used without deleterious by-effects. In a paper on carcinoma of the vulva by Smith and Pollack from the Gynecological Service of Memorial Hospital, we find as late as January 1947 this sweeping statement: “The inadequacy of x-ray and radium in treating either the primary or metastatic foci of this condition is well known.” A similar impression is gained from Berven's thorough discussion of the large group of vulvar carcinoma treated at the Radiumhemmet. The reason for this misconception is probably an insufficient appreciation of the importance of the quality of the radiations used. Some of these lesions, because of their superficial location, may tempt the therapist to employ low-voltage irradiation. This will not be tolerated by the vulvar mucosa ...