Pelvic insufficiency fractures following carbon-ion radiotherapy for uterine carcinomas

There is growing evidence on the role of carbon-ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for gynaecological tumours. Pelvic insufficiency fracture (PIF) decreases the quality of life after photon beam radiotherapy (RT). However, there is little information on PIF after C-ion RT. This study retrospectively assessed incidence of PIF after C-ion RT for uterine carcinomas (UCs) and the associations of clinical and dosimetric parameters with PIF incidence.

We performed a pooled analysis of 102 patients with UCs who underwent definitive C-ion RT alone and were followed up for >6 months without any additional RT in the pelvic region. PIF occurrence was surveyed using magnetic resonance imaging and/or computed tomography. Associations of clinical and dosimetric parameters with PIF incidence were analysed.

The 2- and 5-year actuarial incidences of ≥grade 1 PIF in all pelvic regions were 22.3% and 42.4%, respectively. The most frequent site of involvement was the sacrum. Log-rank tests showed that higher volumes receiving >10 Gy (relative biological effectiveness) (V10), V20, V30, and V40, body mass index (BMI) under 18.5, and current smoking were associated with increased incidence of ≥grade 1 PIF in the sacrum.

We clarified the actuarial incidence of PIF after C-ion RT for UCs. Higher V10, V20, V30, V40, D_50%, D_mean, current smoking, BMI <18.5, and using the anterior-posterior direction in whole pelvic irradiation were associated with higher incidences of PIF in the sacrum. The present results may lead to further improvement of C-ion RT for UCs.