Twice-daily fractionation of external irradiation with brachytherapy and chemotherapy in carcinoma of the cervix with positive para-aortic lymph nodes: Phase II study of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 92-10.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of twice-daily external irradiation to the pelvis and para-aortics with brachytherapy and concurrent chemotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix with positive para-aortic lymph nodes.


METHODS
This study was designed to administer twice-daily radiation doses of 1.2 Gy to the pelvis and para-aortics at 4- to 6-h intervals, 5 days per week. The total external radiation doses were 24 to 48 Gy to the whole pelvis, 12 to 36 Gy parametrial boost, and 48 Gy to the para-aortics with an additional boost to a total dose of 54 to 58 Gy to the known metastatic para-aortic site. One or two intracavitary applications were performed to deliver a total minimum dose of 85 Gy to point A. Cisplatin (75 mg/m2, days 1 and 22) and 5-FU (1000 mg/m2/24 h x 4 days; days 1 and 22) were given for two or three cycles.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine patients with clinical Stages I to IV carcinoma of the cervix with biopsy-proven para-aortic lymph nodes were enrolled in this study. Hyperfractionated external radiotherapy was completed in 86% (25 of 29). Brachytherapy was given in two applications to 48% (14 of 29), 31% (9 of 29) had one intracavitary application, 14% (4 of 29) had no brachytherapy, one had three applications, and one had five HDR applications. Radiotherapy was completed per protocol in 69%. Three courses of chemotherapy were given to 24% (7 of 29), 72% (21 of 29) received two courses, and one patient did not receive chemotherapy. The acute toxicity from chemotherapy was Grade 1 in 3%, Grade 2 in 17%, Grade 3 in 48%, and Grade 4 in 28%. Radiotherapy toxicity was Grade 1 in 7%, Grade 2 in 34%, Grade 3 in 21%, and Grade 4 in 28%. One Grade 5 toxicity occurred and the patient died from a myocardial infarction from chemotherapy and radiotherapy colitis during her course of therapy. The median follow-up time was 18.9 months. The overall survival estimates were 59% at 1 year and 47% at 2 years. The probability of local-regional failure was 38% at 1 year and 49% at 2 years. The probability of disease failure at any site was 45% at 1 year and 59% at 2 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that twice-daily external irradiation to the pelvis and para-aortics with brachytherapy and concurrent chemotherapy resulted in an unacceptably high rate (31%, 9 of 29) of Grade 4 nonhematologic toxicity. One patient died from complications of therapy. Radiotherapy was completed per protocol in 69%. The survival estimates appear no better than standard fractionation radiotherapy without chemotherapy. Additional follow-up is necessary for long-term survival estimates.
Grigsby
P W
PW
Radiation Oncology Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Lu
J D
JD
Mutch
D G
DG
Kim
R Y
RY
Eifel
P J
PJ
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001918:Brachytherapy; D018196:Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil