[Development of a cancer of the large bowel following radiotherapy for cancer of the uterine cervix].

Eight patients with a colorectal cancer, following radiotherapy for a cervical cancer have been analyzed. A total of 9 lesions in the large bowel were found. Four were located in the rectum. The average interval between radiation and the diagnosis of a second tumor was 9 years and 6 months. Four patients had had a post-irradiation interval of more than 10 years. In 7 resected specimens, histologic alterations were seen, such as atrophy or the erosion of the mucosal layer around the tumor. Radiotherapy may have contributed to the development of the colorectal cancer in some of these patients. Thus, attention should be paid to monitoring patients who have received radiotherapy for a cervical cancer, since the development of a colorectal cancer after pelvic radiotherapy may occur.