Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer incidence in Uganda is 54.8 per 100 000 population. We annually treat over 800 new cervical cancers (40% of the workload), which is challenging to treat such numbers in limited resources settings. From July 2011, we commenced the use of hypo-fractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) of 45 Gy/15 fraction (#) as an alternative to conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) of 50 Gy/25#, for treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).Aim: To compare the 5-year follow-up treatment outcomes between CFRT and HFRT.Settings: The study analysed patients treated at the Uganda Cancer Institute – a limited resource institution.Methods: This was a non-randomised, retrospective study, where 414 patients’ files were reviewed according to demographic, clinical, radiotherapy fractionations and outcomes. Inclusion criteria were International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages IIB–IIIB cervical cancer cases and had completed external beam radiotherapy and intracavitary radiotherapy.Results: Squamous cell carcinomas were 93.6% and adenocarcinomas were 3.0%. The median age was 49.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 40.0–56.0) years. Stages IIB/IIIA/IIIB were 36.2%, 8.2%, 55.6%, respectively. Human immunodeficiency virus serology was positive, negative, and unknown in 70 (16.9%), 116 (28.0%) and 228 (55.1%), respectively. Concurrent chemo-radiation was administered in 182 (44.0%) patients. Conventional fractionated radiotherapy and HFRT were 221 (53.4%) and 193 (46.6%), respectively. At 6 months, the overall response rate was 73.3% for CFRT compared with 67.6% for HFRT (p = 0.085), whilst the grades 0–1 toxicities were 94.5% and for 94.7% CFRT and HFRT, respectively (p = 0.080). At 60 months, the survival probabilities were 44.9% for CFRT and 46.6% for HFRT (p = 0.293).Conclusion: There is no significant statistical difference between CFRT and HFRT for the treatment of LACC. The HFRT could be considered for high volume limited resource settings.
Highlights
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, and the second commonest in developing countries.[1]
The hypo-fractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) could be considered for high volume limited resource settings
Logistical reasons (83.8%) were the main cause for not completing the prescribed chemotherapy followed by clinical factors (17.8%)
Summary
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, and the second commonest in developing countries.[1] There were 570 000 cases and 311 000 deaths because of cervical cancer in 2018 globally.[1] The mortality is 10 times higher in developing countries, where about 80% of new cases occur.[2] In the United States (US), most cancer-treatment facilities treat less than three intact cervical cancer patients per year.[3] The cervical cancer incidence in Uganda is 54.8 per 100 000 population.[1] The Department of Radiotherapy, Uganda Cancer Institute annually treats over 800 new cervical cancer patients, accounting for nearly 40% of the workload; it is challenging to optimally treat such large numbers in centres with limited resources. We annually treat over 800 new cervical cancers (40% of the workload), which is challenging to treat such numbers in limited resources settings. From July 2011, we commenced the use of hypo-fractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) of 45 Gy/15 fraction (#) as an alternative to conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) of 50 Gy/25#, for treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC)
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