title: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for advanced cervical cancer: a comparison of dosimetric and clinical outcomes with conventional radiotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the dosimetry, efficacy and toxicity of reduced field intensity-modulated radiation therapy (RF-IMRT) for patients with advanced cervical cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  From August 2005 to August 2010, 60 patients with stage IIB-IIIB cervical cancer underwent reduced field IMRT (RF-IMRT group) and 62 patients treated with conventional radiotherapy (c-RT group) were enrolled. The RF-IMRT plans were as follows: whole pelvic IMRT plan was performed to deliver a dose of 30Gy firstly, then the irradiated volume was reduced to lymphatic drainage region as well as paracervix and parametrium for an additional 30Gy boost. Intracavitary brachytherapy and concurrent chemotherapy were performed during external irradiation. The tumor coverage and normal tissue avoidance were evaluated. Treatment response, toxicities and survival were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean dose delivered to the planning target volume was significantly higher in RF-IMRT group than in c-RT group (61.5 vs. 50.8Gy, P=0.046). IMRT plans yielded better dose conformity to the target and better sparing of the rectal, bladder and small intestine. The RF-IMRT patients experienced significantly lower acute and chronic toxicities with comparable short-term effects than did those treated with conventional RT (CR: 87.7% vs. 88.3%, P=0.496; PR: 7.0% vs. 6.7%, P=0.440). No significant differences were found between treatment groups for 1year, 3year, and 5year overall survival (OS) levels, although the latter approached statistical significance in favor of IMRT, while a significantly higher progression-free survival (PFS; P=0.031) was seen for IMRT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RF-IMRT yields improved dose distributions, with lower toxicities, while providing comparable clinical outcomes. The increased PFS may be an advantage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Jinan, People's Republic of China
authors.forename: Xue-lian
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Xiu-gui
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.forename: Chun-hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Cong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qu-qing
authors.initials: QQ
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Qing-shui
authors.initials: QS
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chun-xia
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*