Feasibility and Safety of Intraoperative Radiotherapy with Low Energy X-ray Photon Therapy for Recurrent Gynecological Cancer: A Case Series

Life (Basel). 2022 May 5;12(5):685. doi: 10.3390/life12050685.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of low energy X-ray photon intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) as an adjuvant therapy for recurrent gynecological cancer.

Methods: Medical records of all recurrence gynecological cancer patients who underwent IORT were reviewed.

Results: Between January 2018 and December 2021, five women (including cervical cancer (n = 2), endometrial cancer (n = 2), and uterine leiomyosarcoma (n = 1)), who underwent IORT and surgical resection for recurrent gynecologic cancer were reviewed. A median dose of 15.62 Gy (range, 12 to 20 Gy) was used for IORT. Repeated IORT and surgical resection was performed in two women. Three women experienced local recurrence, and three women died during follow-up. The 1-year local control rate was 60%. The 2-year overall survival rate was 30%. There was no Clavien-Dindo classification grade III-V complication.

Conclusion: IORT using low energy X-ray photon therapy seems to be feasible and safe as an adjuvant therapy in women who underwent salvage surgery for recurrent gynecologic cancer. However, large-scale prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings and evaluate its efficacy.

Keywords: female; genital neoplasms; operative; radiotherapy; surgical procedures.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.