Concurrent chemoradiotherapy using high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy for uterine cervical cancer

Abstract

Objective We retrospectively reviewed our experience with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) using high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDR-ICBT) to assess its feasibility and efficacy in the treatment of patients with uterine cervical cancer. Methods Forty patients with uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated with CCRT using HDR-ICBT were analyzed. The median cervical tumor size assessed by MRI was 63 mm (range: 40–86 mm). Eighteen patients (45%) had enlarged pelvic nodes on MRI (≥10 mm). Cisplatin (20 mg/m 2/day) was concurrently administered with radiotherapy for 5 days at 21-day intervals for a median of three courses (range: 1–5 courses). Thirty-eight (95%) patients received whole pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with 40 Gy/20 fractions followed by HDR-ICBT with 18 Gy/3 fractions to point A. Subsequently, additional pelvic EBRT with 10 Gy/5 fractions was delivered with a midline block. The cumulative biological effective dose (BED) at point A of this schedule was 77 Gy 10. The median follow-up period for all 40 patients was 37 months (range: 8–71 months). Results Grade 3/4 leukopenia was the most common acute side effect (83%). The actuarial 3-year pelvic control rate, disease-free survival rate, and overall survival rate were 91%, 67%, and 79%, respectively. Eight (20%) patients suffered late gastrointestinal complications (all grades). No patient suffered radiation cystitis (all grades). Only one patient experienced grade 3 complication (enterocolitis). The actuarial 3-year late complication rate (all grades) was 9% for proctitis and 15% for enterocolitis. Conclusion This preliminary study suggests that CCRT using HDR-ICBT is feasible and efficacious for patients with locoregionally advanced uterine cervical cancer.