High-dose-rate brachytherapy boost for locally advanced cervical cancer: Oncological outcome and toxicity analysis of 4 fractionation schemes

Purpose: Brachytherapy (BT) boost after radio-chemotherapy (RCT) is a standard of care in the management of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). As there is no consensus on high-dose-rate (HDR) BT fractionation schemes, our aim was to report the oncological outcome and toxicity profile of four different schemes using twice-a-day (BID) HDR-BT. Patients and methods: This was an observational, retrospective, single institution study for patients with LACC receiving a HDR-BT boost. The latter was performed with a single implant and single imaging done on day 1. The different fractionation schemes were: 7 Gy + 4x3.5 Gy (group 1); 7 Gy + 4x4.5 Gy (group 2); 3x7Gy (group 3) and 3x8Gy (group 4). Local (LFS), nodal (NFS) and metastatic (MFS) recurrence-free survival as well as progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Acute (<= 6 months) and late toxicities (>6 months) were reported. Results: From 2007 to 2018, 191 patients were included. Median follow-up was 57 months [45-132] and median EQD2(10)D(90)CTV(HR) was 84, 82 and 90 Gy for groups 2, 3 and 4 respectively (dosimetric data missing for group 1). The 5-year LFS, NFS, MFS, PFS and OS were 85% [81-90], 83% [79-86], 70% [67-73], 61% [57-64] and 75% [69-78] respectively, with no significant difference between the groups. EQD2(10)D(90)CTV(HR) < 85 Gy was a prognostic factor for local recurrence in univariate analysis (p = 0.045). The rates of acute/late grade = 2 urinary, digestive and gynecological toxicities were 9%/15%, 3%/15% and 9%/25% respectively. Conclusion: Bi-fractionated HDR-BT boost seems feasible with good oncological outcome and slightly more toxicity after dose escalation.

Automated summary

The study reported the results of using different HDR-BT fractionation schemes for treating LACC, showing similar treatment outcomes for all schemes within five years, but higher-dose schemes resulted in slightly more toxicities. EQD2(10)D(90)CTV(HR) < 85 Gy was identified as a prognostic factor for local recurrence.