title: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy using high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy for uterine cervical cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We retrospectively reviewed our experience with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) using high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDR-ICBT) to assess its feasibility and efficacy in the treatment of patients with uterine cervical cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients with uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated with CCRT using HDR-ICBT were analyzed. The median cervical tumor size assessed by MRI was 63 mm (range: 40-86 mm). Eighteen patients (45%) had enlarged pelvic nodes on MRI (> or =10 mm). Cisplatin (20 mg/m2/day) was concurrently administered with radiotherapy for 5 days at 21-day intervals for a median of three courses (range: 1-5 courses). Thirty-eight (95%) patients received whole pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with 40 Gy/20 fractions followed by HDR-ICBT with 18 Gy/3 fractions to point A. Subsequently, additional pelvic EBRT with 10 Gy/5 fractions was delivered with a midline block. The cumulative biological effective dose (BED) at point A of this schedule was 77 Gy10. The median follow-up period for all 40 patients was 37 months (range: 8-71 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Grade 3/4 leukopenia was the most common acute side effect (83%). The actuarial 3-year pelvic control rate, disease-free survival rate, and overall survival rate were 91%, 67%, and 79%, respectively. Eight (20%) patients suffered late gastrointestinal complications (all grades). No patient suffered radiation cystitis (all grades). Only one patient experienced grade 3 complication (enterocolitis). The actuarial 3-year late complication rate (all grades) was 9% for proctitis and 15% for enterocolitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary study suggests that CCRT using HDR-ICBT is feasible and efficacious for patients with locoregionally advanced uterine cervical cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, University of the Ryukyus, 207 Uehara, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa, 903-0215, Japan. b983255@med.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Toita
authors.forename: Hidehiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moromizato
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Yasumasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kakinohana
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maehama
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kanazawa
authors.forename: Sadayuki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murayama
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin