Experience with concurrent chemoradiotherapy treatment in advanced cervical cancer: results from a hospital in...

To describe our experience with concurrent chemoradiotherapy using three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy with weekly cisplatin in the treatment of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

Forty-three patients were identified between January 2009 and December 2015. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and data on patient characteristics, tumour, treatment and toxicities were collected and analysed.

The median age was 45 years (interquartile range (IQR): 26) The median tumour size was 45 mm (IQR: 20). Thirty-eight patients (88%) had a cervical tumour with a size of ≥ 40 mm. The median cervical tumour size evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was 52 mm (IQR: 17). Twenty-two patients (51%) had enlarged lymph nodes on MRI (≥ 10 mm). MRI demonstrated the involvement of the parametrium in 29 patients (67%). Fifteen patients had positive para-aortic nodes (36%). The median total treatment time was 58 days (IQR: 20). Sixteen patients (39%) received extended-field radiotherapy. Cisplatin was administered simultaneously for a median of five courses. The median follow-up period was 32 months (IQR: 28 months). Grade 3 acute toxicity was observed at the gastrointestinal level in seven patients (16%). Late grade 3/4 toxicity was observed in 14 patients (33%). Seven patients (16%) persisted with the disease and five died. The local relapse rate was 9%. Eleven patients underwent a hysterectomy after treatment. The disease-free interval was 24.2 months. The 2-year global survival rate was 82.9%.

Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy appears to be an effective regimen, with acceptable toxicity, for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.