Preoperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy for high-risk early-stage cervical cancer: Long-term clinical outcome analysis

Abstract

Objective: To report long-term oncological and toxicity outcomes after high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDB) followed by oncologic surgery for patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

Methods and materials: From 2005 to 2019, all patients treated with preoperative HDB at Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center for early-stage (IB1-IB2-IIA - FIGO 2018) cervical cancer with local relapse risk factors were included. HDB was performed followed by hysterectomy. Oncological and toxicity outcomes were evaluated prospectively.

Results: We identified 61 patients, with a median follow-up of 84 months. Posthysterectomy complete pathological response was observed in 46 patients (75.4%). Six patients (9.8%) experienced recurrence, including 4 local relapses (6.6%), and 2 deaths (3.3%) due to cervical cancer. Five-year local, nodal and metastatic relapse-free survivals were 94% (95% CI 87-100%), 96% (95% CI 90-100%) and 93% (95% CI 86-100%) respectively. Five-year overall survival was 98% (95% CI 95-100%). No grade ≥ 3 acute toxicity was observed, and 3 patients (4.9%) experienced grade 2 acute toxicity. One patient presented grade 4 late digestive toxicity, and 6 patients had grade 2 late toxicity. Only 1 patient still had grade 2 toxicity, after 9 years follow-up.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, we are reporting the longest follow-up of a preoperative HDB cohort. With similar oncological outcomes and less morbidity compared to primary surgery treatment followed more or less by adjuvant radiotherapy, HDB followed by hysterectomy could be a promising therapeutic option for early-stage cervical cancers with poor prognostic factors.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; High-dose-rate brachytherapy; Radical hysterectomy; Risk factors; Toxicity.