Multimodality treatment for multiple recurrences of cervical cancer after radiotherapy: a case report

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of multiple treatments, the prognosis of recurrent cervical cancer (RCC) remains poor. There are no reports of the entire treatment of cases with multiple recurrences, and clinicians have no guidelines in such cases. We share our experience and consider this complex case of multiple recurrences of cervical cancer. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report our encounter with a challenging case of locally advanced cervical cancer with multiple recurrences after primary chemoradiotherapy. The first recurrence was a bulky lesion invading the posterior bladder wall and pelvic wall accompanied by severe haematuria and moderate anaemia. The patient was treated with various treatments during the course of the disease, including pelvic exenteration (PE), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), radioactive seed implantation, and targeted therapy. These salvage treatments led to an overall survival (OS) of 47 months, a progression-free survival (PFS) after the last chemotherapy of 34 months, and a post-relapse survival of 13.5 months. However, the patient died from severe infection due to an intestinal fistula. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports on the experience of treatment after multiple relapses to provide a reference for clinicians. It suggests that PE should be considered for cervical cancer patients with central recurrence within the primary irradiated field when positive margins can be guaranteed, but it can be palliative even if the pelvic wall is invaded when no other treatments are available. Appropriate extension of resection or additional treatments such as intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be considered for patients at high risk of re-recurrence.