A comparative study of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and standard radiation field with concurrent chemotherapy for...

This study aimed to compare three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D CRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) combined with concurrent chemotherapy for cervical cancer.

A total of 72 patients with Grades IIa-IIIb cervical cancer were randomly divided into two groups, namely, the IMRT group for IMRT plan (primary lesion, 45 Gy/22; the pelvic wall lymphatic drainage area, 50 Gy/22), and the 3D CRT group (conformal pelvic radiotherapy, 45 Gy/22; subsequent supplement of pelvic wall, 6.0 Gy/3). Both groups received concurrent chemotherapy of nedaplatin 30 mg/m2 weekly for six cycles, with an after-loading therapy of 6 Gy/6 each time.

In the IMRT group, the grade III diarrhea rate was 5.6% and the rate in the 3D CRT group was 30.6%; both groups significantly differed. No significant difference was observed between the overall survival and disease-free survival in first, second, and third years in both groups.

Cervical cancer IMRT can significantly reduce the incidence of acute enteritis. For standard 3D CRT, no significant difference was observed in overall survival and disease-free survival.