同步放化疗与单纯放疗治疗中晚期宫颈癌疗效及毒性反应比较研究

目的 对比分析顺铂+氟尿嘧啶（PF方案）同步放化疗和单纯放疗治疗中晚期宫颈癌患者的疗效和毒性反应。方法 回顾性分析2007年3月至2008年10月辽宁省肿瘤医院收治的ⅡB～Ⅲ期宫颈癌患者共264例,分为同步放化疗组132例和单纯放疗组132例,对比分析两组患者的疗效和毒性反应。结果 同步放化疗组和单纯放疗组患者的（完全缓解+部分缓解）有效率分别为96.2%和91.7%,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。同步放化疗组与单纯放疗组5年生存率分别为68.9%和62.1%,差异有统计学意义（HR=2.794,P<0.01）。两组ⅡB期患者的5年生存率分别为84.8%和73.0%（P>0.05）。两组Ⅲ期患者的5年生存率分别为63.6%和48.3%（P<0.05）。同步放化疗组和单纯放疗组近期毒性反应以骨髓抑制为主,其中3级以上白细胞减少发生率分别为20.5%和4.5%（P<0.01）。3级以上放射性直肠炎发生率分别为0.7%和2.3%、3级以上放射性膀胱炎发生率分别为3.8%和1.5%（均P>0.05）。结论 同步放化疗能提高Ⅲ期宫颈癌患者的5年生存率。3级以上白细胞减少的发生率增加,3级以上放射性直肠反应、放射性膀胱反应的发生率不增加,毒性反应可以接受。     

顺铂同步放化疗与单纯放疗治疗中晚期宫颈癌的疗效观察

目的观察顺铂同步放化疗、单纯放疗对中晚期宫颈癌的疗效。方法选取我院2012年1月~2014年12月收治的中晚期宫颈癌患者94例,按照放疗治疗法的不同将其分为观察组与对照组,各47例。观察组接受顺铂同步放化疗治疗,对照组接受单纯放疗治疗,对两组患者的疗效进行观察评价。结果观察组近期总有效率为95.74%,显著高于对照组的76.59%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);两组患者不良反应主要集中于I~II级,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);观察组远期疗效优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论顺铂同步放化疗治疗中晚期宫颈癌的疗效优于单纯放疗,不良反应较轻微,值得临床应用。     

不同同步放化疗方案治疗中晚期子宫颈癌临床分析

目的比较中晚期子宫颈癌采用单药顺铂、多西紫杉醇联合顺铂同步放化疗与单纯放疗的疗效与毒性反应。方法回顾性分析98例ⅡB~ⅢA期子宫颈癌患者的临床病理资料。根据治疗方法分为A组(放疗联合顺铂同步放化疗组)、B组:(放疗联合多西紫杉醇加顺铂同步放化疗组)和C组(单纯放疗组)。观察三组的疗效与毒性反应。结果 A、B、C组治疗有效率分别为86.5%(32/37)、90.2%(37/41)、65.0%(13/20),三组比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.037)。A、B、C组发生Ⅲ~Ⅳ度白细胞降低比例分别为51.4%(19/37)、63.4%(26/41)和25.0%(5/20)(P=0.019),Ⅲ~Ⅳ度恶心呕吐发生率分别为32.4%(12/37)、48.8%(20/41)和10.0%(2/20)(P=0.011)。结论同步放化疗用于治疗中晚期子宫颈癌疗效确切,两种化疗方案的疗效及毒性反应无明显差异。     

59例宫颈癌术前同步放化疗的疗效观察

目的:观察59例宫颈癌患者手术前同步放化疗的疗效和毒副作用。方法:59例宫颈癌病人分成两组:同步放化疗组(33例)和单纯放疗组(26例)。同步放化疗组采取放疗的同时静脉滴注化疗药物顺铂,剂量30mg/m2/周。单纯放疗组仅仅进行单纯放疗治疗。结果:同步放化疗组近期疗效有效率为96.97%,单纯放疗组为76.92%,两组间有效率比较有统计学意义(P<0.05);同步放化疗组主要不良反应是消化道反应,骨髓抑制也较为常见。同步放化疗组胃肠道反应发生率为78.8%,骨髓抑制率为48.5%,单纯放疗组两项指标分别为50.0%、30.8%,两者间均存在统计学意义;术前同步放化疗并不增加并发症,两组间并发症发生情况并无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:宫颈癌患者手术前同步放化疗比单纯放疗组具有更高的效率和更低的毒副作用,且两者之间的并发症发生情况并无不同。     

3种方案同步放化疗治疗中晚期宫颈癌的疗效对比观察

目的:探讨治疗中晚期宫颈癌同步放化疗的化疗方案选择.方法:96例中晚期宫颈癌患者同步放化疗随机分成顺铂组(30例)、多西紫杉醇组(34例)及顺铂联合多西紫杉醇组(32例),观察3组的治疗效果和副反应,并进行比较.结果:外照射结束时3组的有效率分别为96.67%、100%及100%,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);顺铂组的4年生存率、局部复发率、远处转移率与另两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);多西紫杉醇组与顺铂联合多西紫杉醇组差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);顺铂组及顺铂联合多西紫杉醇组有较明显的骨髓抑制和消化道反应,而且肾功损害明显,与多西紫杉醇组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论:多西紫杉醇单药同步放化疗与顺铂单药及两药联合同步放化疗比较,能明显提高患者的生存率,降低局部复发率及远处转移率,同时副反应相对较轻.     

不同放化疗方案治疗中晚期宫颈癌的疗效比较

目的比较中晚期宫颈癌不同放化疗方案的疗效和毒性反应,以指导临床。方法2003年1月至2004年12月福州总医院放疗科收治的符合入组标准的ⅡB～ⅢB期宫颈癌患者111例,随机分为顺铂(DDP)+5-Fu组(DF组)、DDP组和DDP周疗组。比较各组患者的5年生存率和毒性反应。结果111例患者的中位随访时间为62个月,DF组、DDP组和DDP周疗组患者5年生存率分别为31.1%、38.4%和41.5%,差异无统计学意义(P=0.772)。DF组Ⅲ～Ⅳ度急性放射性肠炎高于其他两组(P=0.046),3组迟发性毒性反应比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.953);DF组生存率与DDP组、DDP周疗组比较,差异亦无统计学意义(P=0.111和0.069);DDP组和DDP周疗组合并与DF组比较,5年生存率分别为31.1%和39.5%,差异有统计学意义(P=0.043)。结论每周顺铂同步放化疗方案治疗中晚期宫颈癌,有明显的放疗增敏作用,放射性肠损伤轻,远期疗效较好。     

118例ⅡB～ⅣA期宫颈腺癌单纯放疗与同步放化疗生存情况及其预后因素分析

目的:探讨ⅡB~ⅣA期宫颈腺癌患者采用单纯放疗与同步放化疗的生存情况,并分析影响其预后的相关因素,从而探讨ⅡB~ⅣA期宫颈腺癌较理想的治疗方法。方法:回顾性分析1986年1月至2010年12月于我院接受单纯放疗与同步放化疗治疗的ⅡB~ⅣA期宫颈腺癌患者118例的临床资料,对其生存情况及预后相关因素进行分析。结果:本组病例5年总体生存率为47.5%,行单纯放疗与同步放化疗的5年生存率分别为32.7%和59.1%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。按分期分层分析:单纯放疗组与同步放化疗组ⅡB期5年生存率分别为48.3%和63.3%,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。ⅢB期5年生存率分别为22.2%和47.1%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。按组织学分级分层分析:单纯放疗组与同步放化疗组5年生存率G1分别为42.9%和61.9%,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);G2分别为33.3%和55.2%,G3分别为18.2%和50.0%,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。单因素分析与多因素分析均提示临床分期、组织学分级、肿瘤最大径线及治疗方法是影响ⅡB~ⅣA期宫颈腺癌预后的独立因素(P0.05)。结论:ⅡB~ⅣA期宫颈腺癌单纯放疗与同步放化疗相比,同步放化疗有一定优势,尤其是对ⅢB期及组织学分级G2、G3的患者,能够提高5年生存率。临床分期、组织学分级、肿瘤最大径线及治疗方法是影响ⅡB~ⅣA期宫颈腺癌预后的因素。     

子宫颈癌放疗前新辅助化疗的临床研究

目的 探讨新辅助化疗在宫颈癌治疗中的应用价值。方法 自1991年1月起山东省肿瘤医院开始进行放疗前新辅助化疗的临床前瞻性研究,选择1991年1月～2003年12月符合入组标准的宫颈癌患者共1609例,放疗前给予2个疗程联合化疗（A组）;另选择1989年1月-1990年12月接受单纯放疗的375例宫颈癌患者作对照（B组）。比较两组患者的近期控制情况、长期生存率及并发症的发生情况。结果 A组化疗2个疗程后总有效率为74．5％（1199／1609）,局部完全缓解率为1．6％（25／1609）。A组的3、5、10年生存率分别为90．3％（1017／1126）、75．3％（652／866）、59．0％（200／339）,其中临床分期Ⅱ期患者的5年生存率显著高于Ⅲ期者（P〈0．05）;而两者的3、10年生存率相近（P〉0．05）。B组的3、5、10年生存率分别为81．1％（304／375）、59．2％（222／375）、40．3％（151／375）,其中Ⅱ期患者的5、10年生存率均显著高于Ⅲ期者（P〈0．05）。A、B两组间5、10年生存率比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。A组宫颈腺癌患者的3、5、10年生存率均显著高于B组（P〈0．05）,且A组Ⅲ期患者的3、5年复发率及转移率明显低于B组（P〈0．05）;A组化疗屙的毒副反应主要为轻、中度消化道反应和骨髓抑制,经处理后均能恢复,其近期、远期放疗并发症发生率和B组比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论 新辅助化疗对宫颈癌的治疗是安全有效的,能明显提高患者的近期疗效和长期生存率,特别是对于宫颈腺癌及临床晚期患者效果尤为显著。     

子宫内膜样腺癌术后辅助放化疗的临床观察

目的评价有高危因素的子宫内膜样腺癌术后辅助放化疗的价值。方法选择宫颈侵犯、G3级、深肌层浸润、淋巴脉管侵犯、腹水细胞学阳性等高危因素的子宫内膜样腺癌268例,140例接受术后放疗,128例接受术后放化疗,比较两组的5年生存率。结果术后辅助放疗和术后辅助放化疗的5年生存率分别为92．14％和92．19％,两者比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。而两组的毒性反应比较,术后辅助放化疗组的毒性反应明显增加（P〈0．05）。结论术后辅助盆腔放疗加化疗不能提高具有高危因素的子宫内膜样腺癌的5年生存率,且毒性反应明显增加。     

三维适形放疗治疗子宫颈癌50例近期临床观察

目的探讨三维适形放疗治疗宫颈癌的近期疗效及放疗并发症的发生情况。方法对50例宫颈癌患者行三维适形放疗,其中包括初治患者28例（初治组）,宫颈癌治疗后复发或转移9例,放疗后未控13例;并将初治组与同期行常规照射放疗的宫颈癌患者30例（对照组）进行对比,观察两组患者的近期疗效和放疗并发症的发生情况。结果初治组近期有效率为96％（27／28）,对照组为97％（29／30）,两组比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;放疗后未控患者三维适形放疗后有效率为92％（12／13）,进展1例;宫颈癌治疗后复发或转移的9例患者中7例症状缓解,有效率为7／9。初治组直肠反应发生率为46％（13／28）,对照组为80％（24／30）,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;初治组骨髓抑制发生率为71％（20／28）,对照组为63％（19／30）,两组比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,但Ⅲ度骨髓抑制的发生率两组（分别为0和13％）比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;初治组膀胱反应发生率为7％（2／28）,对照组为3％（1／30）,两组比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论三维适形放疗治疗宫颈癌与常规照射放疗的近期疗效相似,而近期放疗并发症发生率低;对于放疗后未控、治疗后复发或转移患者三维适形放疗可以作为一种行之有效的方法使用。     

Comparison between conventional surgery and radiotherapy for FIGO stage I-II cervical carcinoma: a retrospective Japanese study

PURPOSE: To compare treatment outcome results of conventional surgery vs. radiotherapy (RT) for carcinoma of the uterine cervix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 152 patients with uterine cervical cancer radically treated with surgery or high dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDR-ICBT) with or without external RT from June 1991 to May 2004. The median follow-up time was 43.5 months (range, 1.0-130.0 months). The median age was 53 years (range, 25-81 years). There were 13 patients (9%) in stage IA, 52 (34%) in stage IB, 24 (16%) in stage IIA, and 63 (41%) in stage IIB. The conventional surgery group included 115 patients (76%) who underwent hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection. Of these, 72 (63%) received postoperative radiotherapy. Thirty-seven patients (24%) were assigned to the RT group. Of these, 14 (38%) received chemoradiotherapy. Three patients with stage I received ICBT-alone without external beam irradiation. RESULTS: The 5-year cause-specific survival (CSS) rates for surgery and RT were 79.9% and 82.3%, respectively; the difference between these two treatments was not statistically significant (P = 0.8524). The differences in the survival rates between the two treatments for each of the stage I or stage II patients were also not statistically significant (P = 0.8407 for stage I and P = 0.6418 for stage II). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study suggests that RT results in compatible survival with conventional surgery for patients with stage I-II cervical carcinoma.     

Concurrent radiotherapy with paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy as a definitive treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the toxicity and the efficacy of paclitaxel/carboplatin chemoradiotherapy as a definitive treatment for squamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix. METHODS: From March 2000 to January 2004, 33 patients with squamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy including 2 cycles of paclitaxel (135 mg/m(2)) and carboplatin (area under the time-concentration curve 4.5 mg min/ml) at 4-week interval. Seven patients received adjuvant chemotherapy with the same chemotherapeutic regimen. All patients received external beam radiotherapy with 41.4-51.4 Gy (median 50.4 Gy) to the whole pelvis. Twenty-eight patients received boost irradiation to the cervix by brachytherapy with 25.6-43.3 Gy (median 34.6 Gy) and 5 patients by external beam radiotherapy with 10.8-14.4 Gy (median 14.4 Gy). RESULTS: A median follow-up period was 27 months (range: 6-53 months). Acute hematological toxicity of grade 3 or 4 developed in 20 patients (61%), and acute gastrointestinal toxicity of grade 3 developed in 1 patient (3%). Vesicovaginal fistula occurred in 2 patients (6%). All patients achieved objective response (CR 70%, PR 30%) in 2 months after termination of treatment. One patient had a local progression in cervix, and 4 patients developed distant metastases. The 3-year estimated disease-free survival rates for stages I-IIA, IIB, III and IV were 67%, 91%, 88% and 50%, respectively. The 3-year estimated survival rates for stages I-IIA, IIB, III and IV were 89%, 91%, 88% and 50%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin is effective to achieve an excellent pelvic control.     

Definitive intensity-modulated radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer

Objective

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in women worldwide. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the mainstay treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the treatment outcomes and toxicity of definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with concurrent chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix in a single institution.

Methods

Between January 2004 and November 2008, 109 patients with stage IB2-IVA cervical carcinoma treated with IMRT and concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy were evaluated retrospectively. All patients received external irradiation of 45-54 Gy with an IMRT technique. High dose rate brachytherapy of 20-33.5 Gy was prescribed to point A as a local boost. Each patient received concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy monthly or weekly. The endpoints were overall survival (OS), local failure-free survival (LFFS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Patients were assessed for acute toxicity weekly according to the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 3.0. Late toxicity was evaluated according to RTOG-EORTC Late Radiation Morbidity Scoring Schema.

Results

The median follow up time for all surviving patients was 32.5 months, with a range from 5 to 75 months. The 3-year OS, LFFS and DFS were 78.2%, 78.1% and 67.6%, respectively. Three (2.7%) patients developed grade 3 or greater acute gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity and 26 (23.9%) patients developed grade 3 or greater hematological toxicity. Five (4.6%) patients developed grade 3 or greater chronic GI toxicity and 7 (6.4%) patients developed grade 3 or greater genitourinary system toxicity.

Conclusions

Good outcomes were achieved with definitive IMRT and concurrent chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer and the combined treatment was well tolerated with favorable acute and late toxicity.     

Phase III double-blind randomized trial of radiation therapy for stage IIIb cervical cancer in combination with low- or high-dose Z-100: treatment with immunomodulator, more is not better

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of low or high-dose immunomodulator, Z-100, in combination with radiotherapy for cervical cancer. METHODS: Between 1995 and 1999, 221 patients with stage IIIb squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix were randomly assigned to treatment with Z-100 either at 0.2 microg or 40 microg in a double-blind manner in combination with radiotherapy. RESULTS: The 5-year survival of patients with high-dose and low-dose Z-100 was 41.5% (95% CI: 31.7-51.3%) and 58.2% (95% CI: 48.7-67.7%), respectively, showing a 30% reduction in the death rate (hazard ratio: 0.670 [95% CI: 0.458-0.980], P = 0.039). Survival of high-dose group was equivalent to the 4-year survival of the radiotherapy plus hydroxyurea arm (49.7%) of GOG120 study, and that of low-dose group was similar to the survival of the cisplatin-based chemoradiation arm. The progression-free survival was also significantly improved in favor of low-dose group (hazard ratio: 0.667 [95% CI: 0.447-0.997], P = 0.048). The survival of low-dose group was similar to the survival of the cisplatin-based chemoradiation arms of the GOG120 study. CONCLUSIONS: Unexpectedly, the survival of patients with advanced cervical cancer treated by lower dose of Z-100 in combination with radiotherapy was significantly better than those treated with higher dose Z-100, which was equivalent to the survival with radiotherapy alone. The hypothesis that lower dose of Z-100 enhances the efficacy of radiation therapy is now being tested by placebo-controlled randomized trial.     

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in uterine cervical cancer patients with high-risk factors

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy is better than CCRT alone in the management of FIGO stage bulky IB and IIB uterine cervical cancer. METHODS: Two hundred and five FIGO stage bulky IB and IIB patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with CCRT were divided into 2 groups: (1) CCRT alone (n=103, Group A) and (2) CCRT plus adjuvant chemotherapy (n=102, Group B), and treatment outcomes were retrospectively compared between the two patient groups. RESULTS: Only 63% of patients received all three planned cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy, while 16% received only one cycle because of increased treatment-related morbidity or other causes. There were no treatment-related deaths. Although 37 patients experienced failures after completion of treatment, no significant differences were found in patterns of local and regional failures between the two groups. The incidence of distant metastasis, including para-aortic or supraclavicular lymph node metastases, was not reduced in patients of Group B (8% in Group A vs. 7% in Group B). Overall five-year actuarial survival rates for Group A and Group B patients were 85% vs. 80%, and five-year disease-free survival rates were 83% vs. 78%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data failed to show discernable therapeutic advantage of adjuvant chemotherapy with given after CCRT for the management of FIGO stage bulky IB and IIB uterine cervical cancer patients. A future clinical trial will be necessary to test the clinical efficacy of the adjuvant treatment using newly developed agents in uterine cervical cancer patients.     

Incidence and temporal pattern of anorexia, diarrhea, weight loss, and leukopenia in patients with cervical cancer treated with concurrent radiation therapy and weekly cisplatin: comparison with radiation therapy alone

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the temporal patterns of anorexia, diarrhea, weight loss, and leukopenia in chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for cervical cancer compared with radiation therapy (RT) alone. METHODS: Acute toxicities in 43 patients receiving RT alone and 40 patients receiving CRT were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were treated with a combination of external beam irradiation and high-dose rate intracavitary irradiation. Cisplatin was given once a week for 5 weeks concurrently with the external beam irradiation. CRT was divided into low-dose CRT group (cisplatin, 20-30 mg/m(2), n = 16) and high-dose CRT group (cisplatin, 35-40 mg/m(2), n = 24). Toxicities were evaluated before, every week up to 7 weeks during the cycle, and 12 weeks after initial irradiation, according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 2. RESULTS: In the high-dose CRT group, anorexia during the first 5 weeks, leukopenia after 5 weeks, and weight loss after 3 weeks were significantly higher than those in the RT alone group. In the low-dose CRT group, anorexia between 1 and 2 weeks, leukopenia after 5 weeks, and weight loss between 3 and 4 weeks were significantly higher than those in the RT alone group. Diarrhea between 1 and 2 weeks in the high-dose CRT group (P = 0.037, P = 0.025) and between 2 and 3 weeks in the low-dose CRT group (P = 0.015, P = 0.036) was significantly lower compared with RT alone. CONCLUSION: These data can help us understand when patients are likely to develop maximal toxicities and to manage them with optimal timing.     

Radiation injury to intestine following hysterectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy for cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors for nonrectal radiation-induced intestinal injury (NRRIII) following adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for cervical cancer using a retrospective review of medical records. METHODS: From September 1992 to December 1998, 164 patients with uterine cervical cancer that had completed their allocated adjuvant radiotherapy at the Chinese Medical University Hospital were enrolled for NRRIII analysis. The patients were classified into two groups according to the extent of surgery. Group A consisted of 110 patients (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] stage: IB, n = 87; IIA, n = 21; IIB, n = 2) undergoing radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection, while Group B was composed of 54 analogs receiving adjuvant radiotherapy following incident extrafascial hysterectomy. Treatment consisted of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and high-dose-rate intravaginal brachytherapy (HDRIVB). Initially, the whole pelvis was treated with 10 MV X-rays. After irradiation (44 Gy in 22 fractions over 4-5 weeks), the field was limited to the true pelvis and a further 10-20 Gy delivered in 5-10 fractions. For 21 patients in group A without pelvic lymph node metastasis or lymphovascular invasion, the radiation field was confined to the lower pelvis, with a prescribed dose of 50-58 Gy delivered over 5-6 weeks. HDRIVB was performed using an Ir-192 remote after-loading technique at 1-week intervals. A total of 159 patients (97%) received two insertions, while 5 had only one. The standard prescribed HDRIVB dose was 7.5 Gy to the vaginal surface. Logistic regression analysis was performed for assessment of the factors associated with NRRIII. RESULTS: After 38-119 months of follow-up (median, 60), 22 patients (13.4%) developed Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) grade 2 or greater NRRIII at a median latency of 18 months (range, 5-48). Four patients were diagnosed as grade 3 complications requiring surgery and three had expired. The independent factors for NRRIII were radical hysterectomy (P = 0.04, relative risk 2.45), lower-pelvic dose >54 Gy (P = 0.0001, relative risk 10.27), and age over 60 years (P = 0.001, relative risk 5.45). The incidence of NRRIII for patients receiving whole and lower-pelvic irradiation was 14.5% and 10.6%, respectively (P = 0.45). Although there was no statistical significance comparing the two external beam irradiation strategies in terms of NRRIII, all four patients with grade 3 NRRIII underwent whole pelvic irradiation. CONCLUSION: This study identifies three predictive factors for the development of NRRIII following adjuvant radiotherapy for cervical cancer. Limiting the EBRT dose to less than 54 Gy, meticulous patient selection in the elderly, careful planning of the irradiated field, and the constraint of vaginal brachytherapy are four approaches to optimization of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy.     

Treatment of cervical cancer with adjuvant chemotherapy versus adjuvant radiotherapy after radical hysterectomy and systematic lymphadenectomy

Aim:  To compare the clinical efficacy focused on post-treatment morbidity between adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) and pelvic radiotherapy (RT) after radical hysterectomy for patients with cervical cancer.
Methods:  A total of 125 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma who underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy at Hokkaido University Hospital between 1991 and 2002 were enrolled in the study for retrospective analysis. Seventy patients with recurrent risk factors, including deep stromal invasion, lymph vascular space invasion, parametrial invasion, lymph node metastasis (LNM), and bulky tumor (≥4 cm), received adjuvant therapy; 42 were treated with RT, and 28 were treated with CT. Almost all patients with multiple LNM received RT. Analyses were also performed on a subgroup of 50 patients without multiple LNM (23 RT, 27 CT). Clinical efficacy of post-treatment morbidity and survival was evaluated.
Results:  Because there were more patients with multiple LNM in the RT group, we analyzed disease-free survival in 50 patients without multiple LNM. The 3-year disease-free survival rate was 82.6% with RT and 96.3% with CT ( P  = 0.16). Postoperative bowel obstruction was significantly more frequent in the RT group versus the CT ( P  = 0.007) and no-therapy ( P  = 0.0026) groups. Urinary disturbance was also more frequent in the RT group than in the CT ( P  = 0.0016) and no-therapy ( P  = 0.089) groups.
Conclusion:  CT has the equivalent therapeutic effect as RT with fewer postoperative complications for patients with intermediate risks. A prospective randomized trial is needed to compare CT combined with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy to RT or chemoradiotherapy.     

60Cobalt vs. linear accelerator in the treatment of locally advanced cervix carcinoma: a comparison of survival and recurrence patterns

OBJECTIVE: To compare the survival and recurrence patterns of patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma treated with 60cobalt radiotherapy units and linear accelerators. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-eight patients with cervical carcinoma stages IIB-IVA who were treated with primary irradiation between the years 1985 and 1988 comprised the study group. The median survival of patients treated with 60cobalt units and linear accelerators was calculated using the method of Kaplan and Meier and compared using the log-rank test. Recurrence patterns were compared using chi-square analysis; p < .05 was considered significant for all tests. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-five patients were treated with 60cobalt units (Group 1) and 53 patients were treated with a linear accelerator (Group 2). Group 1 and 2 were similar with regard to mean age and weight, stage distribution, and mean dose to point A. The rate of recurrence was comparable between Group 1 and 2 (65.6% vs. 64.2%) and no significant difference was found in overall survival between the groups (20 months vs. 21 months. p = 81). There was a trend toward increasing pelvic recurrence in Group 1 (50.8%) compared to Group 2 (35.8%, p = .08). CONCLUSIONS: 60Cobalt units and linear accelerators offer comparable rates of overall survival in patients with locally advanced cervix carcinoma.     

Recombinant human erythropoietin as an adjunct to radiation therapy and cisplatin for stage IIB-IVA carcinoma of the cervix: a Southwest Oncology Group study

OBJECTIVE: The survival of cervix cancer patients is associated with their hemoglobin (Hgb) level during radiotherapy. The Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) conducted a phase II trial to determine whether recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) safely corrects anemia during chemoradiotherapy for cervix cancer. METHODS: Patients had stage IIB-IVA cervix cancer and a Hgb between 8.0 and 12.5 g/dl. All patients received rHuEPO thrice weekly and oral iron starting 10-15 days before their 5-week course of whole pelvic irradiation and weekly cisplatin followed by intracavitary brachytherapy. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients from 26 institutions received the protocol treatment. The mean Hgb was 10.4 +/- 1.3 g/dl on the first day of rHuEPO administration (baseline), 11.0 +/- 1.6 g/dl on the first day of chemoradiotherapy, 11.6 +/- 1.9 g/dl at the midpoint of chemoradiotherapy, and 11.8 +/- 2.2 g/dl at the end of chemoradiotherapy. The target Hgb level of 12.5 g/dl was achieved in 40% of patients (95% CI 26-56%) by the midpoint of Chemoradiotheraphy. Change in Hgb was associated with baseline serum iron (P = 0.008) and transferrin saturation (P = 0.05) levels, but not with baseline Hgb or serum ferritin, or patient age. Seven patients developed deep vein thrombosis. Two-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 43% and overall survival (OS) was 51%. Survival was significantly associated with Hgb level at the end of chemoradiotherapy, but not with the baseline Hgb level. CONCLUSIONS: rHuEPO and iron gradually increased Hgb levels in anemic women with local advanced cervix cancer during chemoradiotherapy. There was a higher than expected incidence of deep vein thrombosis. The progression-free and overall survival rates were lower than reported for women with normal Hgb levels.