Prognostic Impact of a Negative Central Pelvic Biopsy after Definitive Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer (LACC)

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Central pelvic biopsies are occasionally performed during post-treatment surveillance of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) after a change in symptoms, abnormal pelvic exam, pap smear or imaging. Although it is established that a positive result is considered disease recurrence, it is unclear the prognostic impact of a negative biopsy. Here, we investigated the characteristics and the clinical course of patients with negative biopsy, focusing on central pelvic recurrence.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Our institutional database of female patients with diagnosis of cervical cancer treated with definitive CRT was retrospectively reviewed (2013-2022). The central pelvic region was subdivided in: I) cervix, II) endocervix/endometrium, III) vagina, IV) vulva, V) bladder and VI) rectum. Each subsite sampled was considered a distinct biopsy event, but multiple samples from one subsite at the same procedure were considered one biopsy event. We calculated the rate of initial negative and positive biopsies. The central pelvic control (local recurrence rate [LCRR]) for patients with negative biopsy was estimated with Kaplan Meier method.

RESULTS

Two hundred and twenty-five consecutive patients were included (initial FIGO 2018 staging: 30% I/II and 70% III-IVA). Of these, 66 (29.3%) underwent 112 central pelvic biopsies (average 1.7 per patient) during a median follow up time of 27.1 months [range: 0.2-94.0], with median time from treatment to first biopsy of 7.0 months [range: 1.0-41.7]. Biopsies were triggered by: symptoms/physical exam in 83 (73.4%), imaging abnormalities in 21 (18.6%), and abnormal pap smear in 9 (8%). The most common structures biopsied were: cervix (53.6%, n = 60), vagina (17.9%, n = 20), endocervix/endometrium (11.6%, n = 13), rectum/sigmoid (11.6%, n = 13), bladder (4.5%, n = 5) and vulva (0.9%, n = 1). Overall, 13.6% cases (9/66) had an initial positive biopsy, while 86.4% (57/66) had an initial negative biopsy. Of these patients with negative biopsies, 84.2% (48/57) remained without evidence of local recurrence and 15.8% (9/57) were subsequently diagnosed with local disease recurrence (1y post-biopsy LCRR 15.0% [95% CI 4.8-24.0]).

CONCLUSION

Although most (>85%) post-treatment central pelvic biopsies are negative, these patients are still at considerable risk of early local recurrence thereafter (post-biopsy 1y-LCRR 15%). Strategies to intensify surveillance may be beneficial in the first year after a negative biopsy.

Effect of Quality of Life on Radiation Adherence for Patients With Cervical Cancer in an Urban Safety Net Health System

PURPOSE

Outcomes for patients undergoing chemoradiation for cervical cancer are dependent on adherence to radiation therapy (RT). In other diseases, quality of life (QoL) is associated with treatment adherence, but the association between QoL and RT adherence for patients with cervical cancer remains unclear.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This prospective study included patients undergoing RT for cervical cancer from 2017 to 2021 at an urban safety net hospital. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cervical Cancer Version 4 was used to assess QoL based on 5 subscales (physical, functional, social and emotional, and cervical-cancer specific). The survey was administered at radiation consult, then weekly during RT and at follow-up. Patient information was abstracted from the medical record. Radiation nonadherence was defined as missing ≥2 days of external beam RT. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cervical Cancer Version 4 total and subscale scores were compared between adherent and nonadherent patients. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to control for confounding variables.

RESULTS

Ninety-three patients were enrolled, completing 522 surveys. Median age at diagnosis was 46 years (interquartile range, 40-51); 76% of patients were Hispanic, and 12% were Black. Only 30% of patients were nonadherent with RT. A psychiatric comorbidity (P = .012) and symptomatic presentation (P = .027) were associated with decreased adherence. Baseline total QoL was higher in treatment-adherent than in nonadherent patients (median, 124.86; range, 48-160; 108.9, 46-150; P = .01). Higher baseline functional and physical subscale scores were associated with adherence (P < .05). Change from baseline to lowest score during treatment in the emotional subscale was also associated with patient adherence (P < .05). In multivariable analysis, higher baseline physical score, baseline total score, and change in emotional subscale score were associated with adherence (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor QoL during chemoradiation for cervical cancer is associated with missed treatments. Physician assessment of a patient's well-being while they are undergoing RT is of utmost importance to improve adherence to treatment.

Paracervical blocks facilitate timely brachytherapy amidst COVID-19

PURPOSE

The COVID-19 pandemic presents serious challenges for brachytherapists, and in the time-sensitive case of locally advanced cervical cancer, the need for curative brachytherapy (BT) is critical for survival. Given the high-volume of locally advanced cervical cancer in our safety-net hospital, we developed a strategy in close collaboration with our gynecology oncology and anesthesia colleagues to allow for completely clinic-based intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This technical report will highlight our experience with the use of paracervical blocks (PCBs) and oral multimodal analgesia (MMA) for appropriately selected cervical ICBT cases, allowing for completely clinic-based treatment.

RESULTS

18 of 19 (95%) screened patients were eligible for in-clinic ICBT. The excluded patient had significant vaginal fibrosis. 38 of 39 intracavitary implants were successfully transitioned for entirely in-clinic treatment utilizing PCBs and oral MMA (97% success rate). One case was aborted due to inadequate analgesia secondary to a significantly delayed case start time (PO medication effect diminished). 95% of patients reported no pain at the conclusion of the procedure. The median (IQR) D_2cc for rectum and bladder were 64.8 (58.6-70.2) Gy and 84.1 (70.9-89.4) Gy, respectively. Median (IQR) CTV high-risk D₉₀ was 88.0 (85.6-89.8) Gy.

CONCLUSIONS

In a multidisciplinary effort, we have successfully transitioned many ICBT cases to the clinic with the use of PCB local anesthesia and oral multimodality therapy in direct response to the current pandemic, thereby mitigating exposure risk to patients and staff as well as reducing overall health care burden.

Non-invasive stereotactic ablative boost in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer

INTRODUCTION

The current literature is insufficient to guide care for patients with cervical cancer ineligible for brachytherapy. Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy boost is a clinical necessity for these patients, but highly debated among radiation oncologists.

OBJECTIVE

To report toxicity and survival outcomes in a large cohort of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with a non-invasive stereotactic ablative radiotherapy boost instead of brachytherapy METHODS: Patients with locally advanced cervical cancer were entered, between January 2008 and December 2018, who were recommended definitive intent external boost after pelvic radiotherapy to 45-50.4 Gy concurrent with weekly cisplatin and simultaneous/sequential nodal boost up to 55-66 Gy. Simulation CT was facilitated using radio-opaque fiducials, empty rectum, dedicated bladder filling, and whole body vaculoplastic immobilization. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were used to report local/regional recurrences, distant metastases, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 25 patients were analyzed. Median follow-up was 25 months (range 6-54). Patients received stereotactic ablative radiotherapy due to refusal of brachytherapy (9/25, 36%), medical co-morbidities limiting implantation (9/25, 36%), or technical infeasibility (7/25, 28%). Typical fractionation was 24-30 Gy in 4-5 fractions (24/25, 96%). The most common long-term toxicity was grade 1-2 vaginal dryness, discomfort, stenosis, and/or dyspareunia (4/25, 16%). One patient had new post-treatment grade 4 fistula in an area of previous tumor erosion (1/25, 4%). Overall survival, cancer specific survival, loco-regional control, and distant control were 95.5%, 100%, 95.5%, and 89.1%, respectively, at 2 years.

CONCLUSION

Further study of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy boost for cervical cancer is needed; a brachytherapy-similar approach portends clinical success with 95.5% overall survival and loco-regional control at 2 years.

Management of inferior vena cava aneurysm

AIM

Inferior vena cava (IVC) aneurysm is an infrequent but potentially lethal abnormality. We have seen one such case in our group practice. We have added this case to a review of 53 previously reported cases in order to develop a management algorithm for this entity.

METHODS

We conducted a MedLine search of all English-language articles from the first reported case in 1950 through August 2013. Patient demographics, clinical data, management and outcomes were extracted. IVC aneurysms were categorized in 4 types as per Gradman and Steinberg classification.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 27.1 years (range 5-89) and 57.4% were male. A total of 11 (20.3%) had associated vascular anomalies and iliocaval thrombosis was found in 10 (18.5%). There were 23 type I aneurysms, 8 type IIs, 21 type IIIs and 2 type IVs. All but 1 type I was successfully managed conservatively without complications. For type IIs, only 3 patients were managed conservatively with 1 death related to stroke from paradoxical embolus. For type IIIs, resection was the most common management option (14 patients). One patient was treated endovascularly with aneurysm embolization. A total of 6 asymptomatic patients were treated conservatively with 1 death due to thromboembolism. For type IVs, all cases underwent expectant management with 1 death due to aneurysm rupture.

CONCLUSION

IVC aneurysms are rare with only 54 cases reported in the literature. Associated vascular anomalies and iliocaval thrombosis should be expected in approximately 20% of cases. Type I aneurysms can be managed expectantly with close surveillance unless symptomatic. For type II-IV, surgical consideration should be given based on high rates of thromboembolic complications and non-negligible risk of rupture.

Quality of mesorectum after laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer - results of an audited teaching programme in Spain

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this prospective observational study was to compare the quality of total mesorectal excision between laparoscopic and open surgery for rectal cancer.

METHOD

In April 2006, the Spanish Association of Surgeons started an audited teaching programme. The project was similar to the Norwegian one and several training courses were arranged. Patients were classified into two groups: laparoscopic rectal resection (LR) and open rectal resection (OR). The quality of the mesorectum was scored: complete, nearly complete or incomplete. The circumferential margin (CRM) was considered positive, if tumour was located 1 mm or less from the surface of the specimen.

RESULTS

Between 2006 and 2008, 604 patients underwent rectal resection with total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: 209 patients were included in the LR group and 395 patients in the OR group. There were no differences in terms of number of lymph nodes affected, distance of the tumour from CRM. The mesorectum was complete in 464 (76.8%), nearly complete in 91 (15.1%) and incomplete in 49 patients (8.1%). CRM was negative in 534 patients (88.4%). No differences were observed between the two groups. The overall postoperative morbidity rate was 38.8% in LR group and 44.6% in OR group (P = 0.170). Overall postoperative mortality rate was 2.5%. One patient died (0.5%) in the LR group and 14 patients died (3.5%) in the OR group (P = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer is feasible with the quality of mesorectal excision and postoperative outcomes similar to those of open surgery.