Residual disease in the uterus after preoperative radiotherapy and hysterectomy in stage IB cervical carcinoma

Prognostic Significance of Tumor Regression Rate during Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Cervix Cancer: Analysis by Radiation Phase and Histologic Type

This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of tumor regression rate according to radiation phase and histologic subtype in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated with chemoradiation. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 398 patients with FIGO stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) between 2001 and 2019. Tumor response was assessed using serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at three time points: pre-treatment, post-external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), and post-intracavitary radiotherapy (ICR). Tumor regression pattern according to histologic subtype and radiation phase (EBRT and ICR) was evaluated. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were the primary outcomes. Of 398 patients, 44 patients had adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma (AC/ASC) and 354 patients had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). AC/ASC was associated with significantly worse PFS and OS than SCC (p < 0.001). AC/ASC had a relatively poorer regression rate in response to EBRT than SCC (p < 0.001), whereas there was no significant difference in overall tumor regression rate after completion of RT (EBRT and ICR) between the two histologic subtypes. Multivariable analysis demonstrated AC/ASC histology to be an independent prognostic factor of decreased PFS and OS. Moreover, tumor regression rate after completion of EBRT (post-EBRT tumor regression rate (EBRT_regression ≤ 26%) and proportion of tumor regression during EBRT to overall tumor regression (EBRT_proportion ≤ 40%) were independent predictors of poor survival in patients with LACC. Tumor regression pattern of LACC in response to CCRT differs according to histologic subtype. AC/ASC histology and poor tumor response to EBRT are independent prognostic factors for worse survival in patients with LACC. Further studies are needed to develop a CCRT protocol that is specialized for patients with AC/ASC.

Comparison of clinical outcomes of squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and adenosquamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix after definitive radiotherapy: a population-based analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I to IVA squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), adenocarcinoma (AC), and adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the uterine cervix after definitive radiotherapy.

METHODS

Patients with a primary diagnosis of FIGO stage I-IVA SCC, AC, and ASC of the uterine cervix who had undergone definitive beam radiation with implants or isotopes between 1988 and 2013 were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to analyze the effect of histologic subtype on cause-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

A total of 8751 were identified, and 86.0, 10.6, and 3.4 % of patients were SCC, AC, and ASC, respectively. AC patients were more often well differentiated, while more patients were poorly/undifferentiated in ASC subtype. A higher percentage of AC and ASC patients were stage I, and fewer had stage III compared to SCC. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses showed that histologic subtype was an independent prognostic factor for CSS and OS. SCC subtype had a better CSS and OS compared to AC and ASC subtype. The survival between AC and ASC had no significant difference. The impact of the histologic subtype on CSS and OS was not affected by FIGO stage and the year of diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

AC and ASC subtypes are independent prognostic factors for cervical cancer patients treated with definitive radiotherapy. AC and ASC subtypes are associated with poor survival outcomes than those with SCC.

Differential clinical characteristics, treatment response and prognosis of locally advanced adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of cervix treated with definitive radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To compare tumor characteristics and clinical outcome of patients with cervical locally advanced adenocarcinoma (AC)/adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

POPULATION

All patients with cervical SCC (n = 35), AC or ASC (n = 194) with FIGO stage ≥IIB who received definitive radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) from January 1995 to December 2009.

METHOD

Medical and histopathological record review.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Progression-free survival (PFS), local recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Compared with the SCC subgroup, patients with AC/ASC were significantly younger (p = 0.007), more of them without clinical symptoms were diagnosed by abnormal Pap smear findings (p = 0.043), and less responded to treatment (p = 0.018). After a median follow-up of 59.3 months, patients with AC/ASC had worse 5-year PFS (30.0% vs. 47.6%, p = 0.044), worse 5-year distant metastasis-free survival (41.5% vs. 69.9%, p = 0.005), and trends toward worse 5-year local recurrence-free survival (64.4% vs. 76.2%, p = 0.165) and worse 5-year OS (41.3% vs. 58.1%, p = 0.090) than patients with SCC. In univariate analysis, early FIGO stage and complete treatment response were significantly associated with PFS and OS. Histology of non-AC/ASC and Point A biologically equivalent doses in 2-Gy fractions >85 Gy were significantly associated with better PFS, and CCRT was significantly associated with better OS. In multivariate analysis, complete treatment response and early FIGO stage remained significant factors for predicting better PFS and OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical AC/ASC may be more aggressive than is SCC. For cervical AC/ASC, more comprehensively effective treatments are warranted.

The Effect of Extrafascial Hysterectomy After Completion of External Beam Radiotherapy for Treatment of Locally Advanced Stages (IIB-III) of Cervical Cancer

Background:

Worldwide, cervical cancer is one of the most challenging gynecologic cancers in treatment.

Objectives:

This study was designed with the aim of comparing patients treated with External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) and Interactivity Brachytherapy (ICBT) with EBRT and extrafascial hysterectomy in locally advanced stages of cervical cancer (IIB-III).

Patients and Methods:

The present study was designed as a case-control which was performed on the patients with cervical cancer in locally advanced stages (IIB-III) admitted to Namazi and Faghihi hospitals (university hospitals in Shiraz) between 2008-2011. 51 patients were included in two distinct groups: 25 patients were treated with EBRT and Interactivity Brachytherapy (group A). 26 patients were treated with EBRT and extrafascial hysterectomy group B.

Results:

In group A, the number of patients with FIGO stage IIb and III were 16 and 9, respectively, and 17 and 9 in group B. The median duration of follow-up was 24 months. There were no significant differences between two groups in metastasis and recurrence rate (P > 0.05). 5-years overall survival rate was 54.8% [95% CI: 39-70.9] in group A and in group B was 50.9% [95% CI: 41.5-60] and The LOG-rank test which controls the effect of treatment modalities on overall survival rate, did not show any significant difference between two groups (P = 0.407).

Conclusion:

The results of our study showed that the trend of treatment using EBRT along with intracavity brachytherapy may have the same outcome as the method of using EBRT and extrafascial hysterectomy. Overall, it seems that external beam radiation followed by extrafascial hysterectomy could be a proper substitute for brachytherapy.

Long-term outcome and prognostic factors for adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma of cervix after definitive radiotherapy

PURPOSE

To study the outcomes of patients with adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma (AC/ASC) of the cervix primarily treated with radiotherapy (RT), identify the prognostic factors, and evaluate the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or salvage surgery.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 148 patients with Stage I-IVA AC/ASC of cervix after full-course definitive RT were included. Of the 148 patients, 77% had advanced stage disease. Treatment failure was categorized as either distant or local failure. Local failure was further separated into persistent tumor or local relapse after complete remission. The effectiveness of CCRT with cisplatin and/or paclitaxel was examined, and the surgical salvage rate for local failure was reviewed.

RESULTS

The 5-year relapse-free survival rate was 68%, 38%, 49%, 30%, and 0% for those with Stage IB/IIA nonbulky, IB/IIA bulky, IIB, III, and IVA disease, respectively, and appeared inferior to that of those with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix treated using the same RT protocol. Incomplete tumor regression after RT, a low hemoglobin level, and positive lymph node metastasis were independent poor prognostic factors for relapse-free survival. CCRT with weekly cisplatinum did not improve the outcome for our AC/ASC patients. Salvage surgery rescued 30% of patients with persistent disease.

CONCLUSION

Patients with AC/ASC of the cervix primarily treated with RT had inferior outcomes compared to those with squamous cell carcinoma. Incomplete tumor regression after RT was the most important prognostic factor for local failure. Salvage surgery for patients with persistent tumor should be encouraged for selected patients. Our results did not demonstrate a benefit of CCRT with cisplatin for this disease.

Brachytherapy versus radical hysterectomy after external beam chemoradiation: a non-randomized matched comparison in IB2-IIB cervical cancer patients

Background

A current paradigm in the treatment of cervical cancer with radiation therapy is that intracavitary brachytherapy is an essential component of radical treatment. This is a matched retrospective comparison of the results of treatment in patients treated with external beam chemoradiation (EBRT-CT) and radical hysterectomy versus those treated with identical chemoradiation followed by brachytherapy.

Methods

In this non-randomized comparison EBRT-CT protocol was the same in both groups of 40 patients. In the standard treated patients, EBRT-CT was followed by one or two intracavitary Cesium (low-dose rate) applications within 2 weeks of finishing external radiation to reach a point A dose of at least 85 Gy. In the surgically treated patients, radical hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection and para-aortic lymph node sampling were performed within 7 weeks after EBRT-CT. Response, toxicity and survival were evaluated.

Results

A total of 80 patients were analyzed. The patients receiving EBRT-CT and surgery were matched with the standard treated cases. There were no differences in the clinicopathological characteristics between groups or in the delivery of EBRT-CT. The pattern of acute and late toxicity differed. Standard treated patients had more chronic proctitis while the surgically treated had acute complications of surgery and hydronephrosis. At a maximum follow-up of 60 months, median follow-up 26 (2–31) and 22 (3–27) months for the surgery and standard therapy respectively, eight patients per group have recurred and died. The progression free and overall survival are the same in both groups.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that radical hysterectomy can be used after EBRT-CT without compromising survival in FIGO stage IB2-IIB cervical cancer patients in settings were brachytherapy is not available. A randomized study is needed to uncover the value of surgery after EBRT-CT.

Preoperative external beam radiotherapy and reduced dose brachytherapy for carcinoma of the cervix: survival and pathological response

Purpose

To evaluate the pathologic response of cervical carcinoma to external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and high dose rate brachytherapy (HDRB) and outcome.

Materials and methods

Between 1992 and 2001, 67 patients with cervical carcinoma were submitted to preoperative radiotherapy. Sixty-five patients were stage IIb. Preoperative treatment included 45 Gy EBRT and 12 Gy HDRB. Patients were submitted to surgery after a mean time of 82 days. Lymphadenectomy was performed in 81% of patients. Eleven patients with residual cervix residual disease on pathological specimen were submitted to 2 additional insertions of HDRB.

Results

median follow up was 72 months. Five-year cause specific survival was 75%, overall survival 65%, local control 95%. Complete pelvic pathological response was seen in 40%. Surgery performed later than 80 days was associated with pathological response. Pelvic nodal involvement was found in 12%. Complete pelvic pathological response and negative lymphnodes were associated with better outcome (p = .03 and p = .005). Late grade 3 and 4 urinary and intestinal adverse effects were seen in 12 and 2% of patients.

Conclusion

Time allowed between RT and surgery correlated with pathological response. Pelvic pathological response was associated with improved outcome. Postoperative additional HDRB did not improve therapeutic results. Treatment was well tolerated.

Radiation-sparing managements for cervical cancer: a developing countries perspective

Cervical cancer is the seventh most frequent cancer worldwide but more than 80% of cases occur in developing countries. Till date, radiation therapy with external beam and brachytherapy remains as the core treatment for most stages of cervical cancer. However, radiation treatment protocols and equipment modelled on the best developed countries can be seldom applied directly to developing countries owing to financial constraints and lack of qualified personnel, thus, a substantial proportion of patients do not have access to even palliative radiation therapy. Treatment options when the standard therapy is either not available or difficult to reproduce in particular settings is highly desirable with the potential to save lives that otherwise could be lost by the lack of adequate treatment. These options of treatment ideally had to have show, 1) that these are not inferior to the "standard" in terms of either survival or quality of life; 2) that these can be delivered in settings were the "standard" is not available or if available its quality is poor; and 3) that the treatment option be accepted by the population to be treated.

Based on these considerations, it is obvious that cervical cancer patients, particularly those who live in countries with limited resources and therefore may not have sufficient radiation therapy resources are in need of newer therapeutical options. There is now a considerable amount of information emanating from clinical studies where surgery has a major role in treating this disease. These forms of "radiation-sparing" treatments include total mesometrial resection that could make unnecessary the use of adjuvant radiation; neoadjuvant chemotherapy that could avoid the use of adjuvant radiation in around 85% of patients and preoperative chemoradiation that could make brachytherapy dispensable. The feasibility and therapeutical value of these potential forms of management need to be prospectively evaluated.

Survival in cervix cancer patients treated with radiotherapy followed by radical surgery

AIM

To determine the incidence and predictive value of residual disease in the hysterectomy specimens of cervical cancer patients treated with primary radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, followed by surgery and to determine whether pathologically confirmed residual disease is a surrogate marker of outcome.

METHODS

The medical records of patients treated for stage IB/II carcinoma of the cervix in a single institution between 1985 and 2000 were retrospectively analysed into two different groups, depending on whether they had received radiotherapy or concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. Six to 8 weeks after irradiation, all patients underwent radical or extrafascial hysterectomy and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 403 patients were included in the study (360 in the radiotherapy only group and 43 in the chemo-radiotherapy group). One hundred and seventy-eight patients had residual disease on hysterectomy specimens in the radiotherapy group. Considering only the stages IB2 and II, 126 (52%) and 16 (37%) patients had residual disease on hysterectomy specimens in the radiotherapy group and in the chemo-radiotherapy group, respectively (P=0.08). Residual disease was associated with pelvic and para-aortic nodal metastases. The 5-year local control and overall survival rates were 88 and 86%, respectively, in the patients with complete pathologic response and 73 and 62%, respectively, in the patients with residual disease (P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, FIGO stage, residual disease, and pathologic nodal involvement were independent predictive factors of both local recurrence and overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Pathologically confirmed residual disease on hysterectomy specimen is an independent and strong predictive factor of both local recurrence and overall survival.

Influence of histologic type and age on survival rates for invasive cervical carcinoma in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess survival rates and to evaluate histologic type and age as prognostic factors for cervical carcinoma in an ethnically homogenous population in Taiwan.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 3678 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma that were diagnosed and treated for invasive cervical carcinoma between 1977 and 1994. Observed survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic factors were assessed using Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis.

RESULTS

Correlating both FIGO stage and age with histologic type revealed a higher proportion of cases with adenocarcinoma in the lower FIGO stages (P = 0.0417). Further, we found that the younger the age group the higher the proportion of cases of cervical adenocarcinoma (P = 0.0006). The 5-year survival rate was lower for patients with adenocarcinoma than for patients with squamous cell carcinoma (66.5 vs 74.0%, P = 0.0009). The 5-year survival rates for FIGO stages I, II, III, and IV squamous cell carcinoma were 81.3, 75.2, 42.7, and 26.1%, respectively, while for adenocarcinoma they were 75.9, 62.9, 29.2, and 0%, respectively. The difference in survival rates between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was found mainly in stage I (P = 0.0039) and stage II (P = 0.0103), where radiotherapy was used as the primary treatment. Age also affected the overall Kaplan-Meier estimate of survival. The younger the age group, the better the survival rate (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis confirmed a highly significant association between survival rate and both histologic type (P < 0.0001) and age (P = 0.0037).

CONCLUSIONS

Early stage cervical cancer (stages I and II) with a glandular component had a lower 5-year survival rate than squamous cell carcinoma in cases where radiotherapy was the primary treatment. We speculate that this difference in survival rates between cervical adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma was due to the relative ineffectiveness of radiotherapy as a primary treatment in cases of adenocarcinoma.