Abstract: Objective : To investigate the change of cell apoptosis and the expression of p53bax and bel-2 before and after radiotherapy in cervical carcinoma. Methods : Twenty patients with cervical carcinoma who received only radiotherapy were registered. Specimens of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were obtained from the same site in cervical tumors before and after administration of airradiation dose of 10Gy. Cell apoptosis and the expression of p53、bax and bel-2 proteins were asessed by using the method of in situ nick end labeling combined with hematoxylin and eosin staining and of immunohistochemistry,respectively. Results :1) The apoptosis index was significantly in creased from 0.11% before radiotherapy to 3.40% after 10Gy.2) The expression of p53 and box protein showed significantly correlative variation after 10Gy, and no significant change was found in the expression rate of bel-2 protein before and after radiotherapy in cervical carcinoma. Conclusion :Bax proteins were associated with apoptosis induced by radiotherapy.