Simultaneous integrated or sequential boost to clinically involved lymph nodes in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy

Long-term survival in patients with para-aortic metastatic cervical cancer receiving simultaneous integrated boost chemoradiation to positive lymph nodes: a single-center experience

OBJECTIVES

To examine the benefits of extended-field chemoradiation with simultaneous integrated boost to positive lymph nodes, followed by image-guided adaptive brachytherapy in patients with cervical cancer with para-aortic metastasis.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study enrolled 143 patients diagnosed between January 2011 and July 2023 at a single center. Survival and recurrence were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Cox regression was employed to identify prognostic factors and adjust for confounding factors. Patients were then stratified according to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and its impact on survival outcomes was evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 129 patients completed the entire treatment course. The 5-year overall survival rate was 57.6%, and the para-aortic failure rate was 6.8% after a median follow-up of 61 months (95% CI 49 to 82 months). Multivariate analysis indicated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy, larger primary tumor or pelvic/para-aortic lymph nodes, and lower hemoglobin nadir (for widespread metastasis-free survival only) predicted poorer survival. After propensity score matching, the 5-year para-aortic recurrence-free, widespread metastasis-free, and overall survival rates were 92.2% vs 92.8% (p=0.85), 50.8% vs 72.1% (p=0.007), and 47.5% vs 65.5% (p=0.037), respectively, in groups receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy or not. Sixteen patients (12.4%) experienced grade 3-4 late toxicities. Patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a significantly higher incidence of grade 3-4 anemia and neutropenia than those who did not (45.2% vs 26.7% and 38.1% vs 21.8%, respectively), if including another 14 patients who discontinued treatment due to acute vomiting.

CONCLUSION

Chemoradiation with simultaneous integrated boost to positive lymph nodes demonstrates favorable outcomes and acceptable late toxicities in para-aortic metastatic cervical cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to adversely affect outcomes, and acute vomiting is a major cause of treatment abortion.

Efficacy of cumulative cisplatin dose on survival in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy: multicenter study by Turkish Oncology Group

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of cumulative cisplatin dose on clinical outcomes in locally advanced cervical cancer patients undergoing definitive chemoradiotherapy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 654 patients with stage IB3-IVA disease treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy. Radiotherapy was applied as external beam pelvic with or without para-aortic radiotherapy and brachytherapy. Concomitant chemotherapy was in the form of weekly or 3 weekly cisplatin. Data on demographics, treatment protocols, cumulative cisplatin dose, adverse effects, and survival outcomes were collected. Statistical analyses, including univariate and multivariate Cox regression models, were used to assess factors influencing progression free survival and overall survival.

RESULTS

The median cumulative cisplatin dose was 210 mg (range 40-320), and ≥200 mg in 503 (76.9%) patients. Median follow-up was 35 months (range 1-150). The 5 year progression free survival and overall survival rates were 66.9% and 77.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified poor performance status, non-squamous cell histology, presence of lymph node metastases, and hemoglobin <10 g/dL before chemoradiotherapy as poor prognostic factors for both progression free survival and overall survival in the whole group. When stage III cases were evaluated separately, the cumulative cisplatin dose <200 mg was found to be a significant poor prognostic factor in overall survival (hazard ratio 1.79, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 3.0, p=0.031).

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that a cumulative cisplatin dose >200 mg, particularly in patients with lymph node metastases, significantly improved overall survival. Factors such as anemia, toxicity related challenges, and comorbidities were identified as critical considerations in treatment planning. These findings emphasize the balance between maximizing therapeutic efficacy and managing toxicity, guiding personalized treatment approaches for locally advanced cervical cancer.

External beam radiotherapy boost versus surgical debulking followed by radiotherapy for the treatment of metastatic lymph nodes in cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and treatment-related toxicity of two therapeutic strategies for treating bulky lymph nodes on imaging in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC): radiotherapy boost versus surgical debulking followed by radiotherapy.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of studies published up to October 2023. We selected studies including patients with LACC treated by external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) boost or lymph node debulking followed by EBRT (with or without boost).

RESULTS

We included two comparative (included in the meta-analysis) and nine non-comparative studies. The estimated 3-year recurrence rate was 28.2% (95%CI:18.3-38.0) in the EBRT group and 39.9% (95%CI:22.1-57.6) in the surgical debulking plus EBRT group. The estimated 3-year DFS was 71.8% and 60.1%, respectively (p = 0.19). The estimated 3-year death rate was 22.2% (95%CI:11.2-33.2) in the EBRT boost group and 31.9% (95%CI:23.3-40.5) in the surgical debulking plus EBRT group. The estimated 3-year OS was 77.8% and 68.1%, respectively (p = 0.04). No difference in lymph node recurrence between the two comparative studies (p = 0.36). The meta-analysis of the two comparative studies showed no DFS difference (p = 0.13) but better OS in the radiotherapy boost group (p = 0.006). The incidence of grade≥3 toxicities (ranging 0-50%) was not different between the two approaches in the two comparative studies (p = 0.31).

CONCLUSION

No DFS and toxicity difference when comparing EBRT boost with surgical debulking of enlarged lymph nodes and EBRT in patients with cervical cancer was evident. Radiotherapy boost had better OS. Further investigation is required to better understand the prognostic role of surgical lymph node debulking in light of radiotherapy developments.