Extended field chemoradiation for cervical cancer patients with histologically proven para-aortic lymph node metastases after laparaoscopic lymphadenectomy

Background and purpose The purpose of this work was to evaluate the use of extended-field chemoradiation (EFRT) with concomitant chemotherapy in patients with histologically confirmed para-aortic metastases after laparoscopic para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy (LAE) with regard to oncologic results and treatment-related toxicity. Patients and methods A total of 44 women with squamous cell carcinoma (82 %) and adenocarcinoma (18 %) of the cervix in FIGO stages IIA (n = 3), IIB (n = 29); IIIB (n = 9), and IVA (n = 3) and histologically proven para-aortic metastases underwent EFRT and chemotherapy. Laparoscopic LAE was performed in 40 patients. Patients underwent chemoradiation with conventional fractionation of 1.8-50.4 Gy to the para-aortic and pelvic region. In addition, MRI-guided brachytherapy was performed to the cervix with 5-6 single doses of 5 Gy for a total dose of 25-30 Gy. Results The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 17 in the pelvic as well as para-aortic regions, respectively. Laparoscopic intervention did not delay chemoradiation. Follow-up was 6-76 months (mean 25.1 months). There was no grade 4 or 5 acute radiation toxicity. In all, 8, 4, and 11 % grade 1, 2, and 3 gastrointestinal late toxicities and 7, 11, and 19 % grade 1, 2 and 3 genitourinary late toxicities were recorded. Despite the excellent locoregional (pelvic) control rates of 89.1 and 82.8 % after 2 and 5 years, respectively, the overall survival rates were 68.4 and 54.1 % after 2 and 5 years, respectively. Of the 44 patients, 43 remained tumor free in the para-aortic region. Conclusion In patients with proven para-aortic disease, excellent pelvic and para-aortic control could be achieved by laparoscopic LAE followed by EFRT. More than half of the patients were long-term survivors. The high risk of distant metastases should be addressed by further improving systemic treatment.