Aim: To assess the outcome of 35 patients with vaginal carcinoma treated with different radiotherapy modalities.
Materials and methods: Thirty-one patients received external-beam irradiation (EBRT) to the entire vagina, para-vaginal area and pelvic nodes (total dose=45-50.4 Gy). Concomitant chemotherapy was used in 22 patients. Nineteen patients received additional 15-25 Gy high-dose-rate brachytherapy (BT) boost and eight received additional EBRT boost to the primary tumor site. Four women received exclusive 30-40 Gy high-dose-rate BT.
Results: Median progression-free survival and median overall survival were 22 months and 89 months, respectively. Age <70 years, use of EBRT plus BT, and concomitant chemotherapy were associated with better progression-free (p=0.002, p=0.007, and p=0.02) and overall (p=0.01, p=0.009, p=0.009) survival.
Conclusion: Concomitant EBRT and chemotherapy followed by BT is the best treatment for vaginal carcinoma.
Keywords: Vaginal carcinoma; brachytherapy; chemotherapy; external beam radiation; recurrence.
Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.