Reviewing Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Boost after Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation as an Alternative to Brachytherapy Boost for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer

Abstract

It is generally agreed upon that concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the treatment of choice for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). Radiotherapy consists of pelvic external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and intracavitary brachytherapy (BT) to boost the cervix with coexisting residual tumors. Both of these treatments are administered simultaneously. In developing countries, however, there is a trend toward favoring surgery over other sorts of therapy. This preference can be attributed to several factors, including the fact that surgery is more readily available, socially acceptable, and culturally understood. On the other hand, with the development of more advanced techniques for external beam radiation treatment (EBRT), the usage of brachytherapy (BT), which is intended to boost the cervix in patients diagnosed with cervical cancer (CC), has been steadily decreasing in industrialized countries. The manner in which LACC has been treated as of late has become a contentious issue. In women who have locally advanced CC, we do not have any prospective evidence to support the idea that surgery or current EBRT, or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), may be substituted for intracavitary BT boost as a treatment option. This study aims to review SBRT as an alternative to brachytherapy following neoadjuvant concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy.