Definitive chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer: A 11-year population-based study

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Medical Oncology

Background:

• Cervical cancer remains a significant global health challenge.
• Definitive chemoradiotherapy is a standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer.
• Understanding long-term outcomes, including recurrence patterns and survival, is crucial for improving patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the recurrence patterns and survival rates in women with cervical cancer treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.
• To identify the sites and timing of disease recurrence after treatment.
• To assess the long-term survival outcomes in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study including 121 women with FIGO stage IB2 to IVA cervical cancer.
• Data collected from February 2000 to March 2011, with follow-up until April 2018.
• Analysis of recurrence sites, time to recurrence, and overall survival rates.

Main Results:

• A total of 121 women were analyzed, with a mean age of 50.59 years.
• Recurrence was observed in 45.5% of patients, and 42.15% died from the disease.
• The majority of recurrences (70.91%) were pelvic and distant, with a median time to recurrence varying by site. 5- and 8-year overall survival rates were 76.0% and 64.4%, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Definitive chemoradiotherapy offers improved survival compared to radiotherapy alone for cervical cancer.
• Late recurrences can occur up to 10 years after treatment, highlighting the need for extended surveillance.
• Current follow-up protocols may require re-evaluation to effectively manage late recurrences in cervical cancer survivors.