ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the long-term results of a 7-week schedule of external beam radiation therapy, high dose rate brachytherapy, and weekly cisplatin and paclitaxel in patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix.MethodsThirty-seven patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages IB2 to IVa cervical cancer were treated with 40 mg/m2 per week of intravenous cisplatin and 50 mg/m2 per week of intravenous paclitaxel combined with 45 Gy of pelvic external beam radiation therapy and 28 to 30 Gy of high dose rate brachytherapy.ResultsSixteen patients (43.2%) were able to complete the 6 scheduled cycles of chemotherapy. The median number of weekly chemotherapy cycles administered was 5. Thirty-six (16.2%) of 222 cycles of chemotherapy were not given because of toxicity. The mean dose intensity of cisplatin was 29.6 mg/m2 per week (95% confidence interval, 27.0–32.1); that of paclitaxel was 40.0 mg/m2 per week (95% confidence interval, 36.9–43.1). Thirty-four patients (91.8%) completed the planned radiation course in less than 7 weeks. Median radiation treatment length was 43 days. After a median follow-up of 6 years, 7 patients (18.9%) experienced severe (RTOG grade 3 or higher) late toxicity. No fatal events were observed. Ten patients have failed, 1 locally and 9 at distant sites. The 14-year locoregional control rate was 96.7%, and the 14-year freedom from systemic failure rate was 64.6%. Fourteen-year actuarial disease-free survival and overall survival rates were 44.8% and 50%, respectively.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates excellent very long-term results and tolerable toxicity although the target weekly dosage of cisplatin and paclitaxel needs to be adjusted in the majority of the patients.
Low Rates of Endoesophageal HDR Brachytherapy Toxicity: Long Term Results of a 3-Tube Technique in De Novo and Recurrent, Stage I, Non-surgical Patients
