Treatment Outcome of the Combination Therapy of High-dose rate Intracavitary Brachytherapy and Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy With Central-shielding for Cervical Cancer

Background/aim: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcome of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDR-ICBT) in uterine cervical cancer (UCC). IMRT consisted of whole-pelvic radiation therapy (WPRT) and sequential WPRT with central-shielding (WPRT-CS).

Patients and methods: Thirty UCC patients treated with IMRT using TomoTherapy, were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: The median dose of WPRT and WPRT-CS was 36 and 14.4 Gy and the median total dose of these was 50 Gy in 25 fractions (Fr). Median HDR-ICBT dose/Fr to Point A was 25 Gy/5 Fr. Median 2 Gy per fraction-equivalent dose (EQD2) of combined WPRT and HDR-ICBT to Point A (α/β=10) was 71.0 Gy. The 3-year local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates were 89.9%, 83.3%, and 86.3%.

Conclusion: IMRT of WPRT and WPRT-CS given in combination with HDR-ICBT was a feasible therapy resulting in good disease control and tolerance in patients with UCC.