Long-term follow-up results of simultaneous integrated or late course accelerated boost with external beam radiotherapy to vaginal cuff for high risk cervical cancer patients after radical hysterectomy

BACKGROUND: To assess the safety and efficacy of simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) or late course accelerated boost (LCAB) with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to the vaginal cuff for high risk cervical cancer patients after radical hysterectomy. METHODS: Between October 2009 and January 2012, patients with high risk cervical cancer who had undergone radical surgery followed by EBRT to the vaginal cuff were enrolled. Patients were treated with either intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)/volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with SIB (arm A) or IMRT/VMAT to the pelvis followed by LCAB (arm B) to vaginal cuff. In arm A, the pelvic and boost doses were 50.4 Gy and 60.2 Gy in 28 fractions, respectively. In arm B, pelvic irradiation to 50 Gy in 25 fractions followed by a boost of 9 Gy in 3 fractions were delivered. Chemotherapy was given concurrently. RESULTS: Overall, 80 patients were analyzed in this study (42 in arm A, 38 in arm B). In arm A and B, median follow-up was 37 and 32 months, respectively. The 3-year disease-free survival and overall survival in arms A vs B were 88.7% vs. 93.4% (p = 0.89), and 91.8% vs.100% (p = 0.21), respectively. The 3-year local-regional control and distant failure were 97.6% vs. 100% (p = 0.34), and 4.8% vs. 5.3% (p = 0.92), respectively. Grade 3–4 acute leukopenia and dermatitis were seen in 11 (26.2%) and 8 (19.0%) patients in Arm A, vs. 7 (17.8%) and 6 (15.8%) patients in Arm B, respectively (p > 0.05). Only Grade 1–2 chronic gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that both SIB and LCAB to vaginal cuff for high risk cervical cancer patients after radical hysterectomy are associated with excellent survival, local control and low toxicity.