Long-term Outcomes of Carbon-ion Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix

Abstract

Background/aim: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of carbon-ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (LAC-SqCC) in 2 prospective phase I/II studies.

Patients and methods: In the first study, 14 patients were treated with 68.8-72.8 Gy (RBE)/24 fractions. In a subsequent study, 22 patients were treated with 64.0-72.0 Gy (RBE)/20 fractions while limiting the dose to the gastro-intestinal (GI) <60 Gy (RBE).

Results: The 10-year local control rates were 92% and 61% for the patients administered a total dose of 72.0-72.8 Gy (RBE) and 64.0-68.8 Gy (RBE), respectively. Two patients in the first study developed grade 3/4 rectal or bladder complications; however, no grade 3 or higher complications occurred in the second study.

Conclusion: C-ion RT with a higher dose was associated with excellent LC in LAC-SqCC. Long-term safety was confirmed based on the establishment of dose constraints for the GI tract.

Keywords: Carbon-ion radiotherapy; particle radiation therapy; radiotherapy; squamous cell carcinoma; uterine cervical cancer.