High dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy for recurrent cervical cancer of the vaginal stump following hysterectomy

Eradicative brachytherapy with hyaluronate gel injection into pararectal space in treatment of bulky vaginal stump recurrence of uterine cancer

The purpose of this study is to develop a procedure for eradicative brachytherapy that can deliver a curative boost dose to bulky (>4 cm) vaginal stump recurrence of uterine cancer without risk of damaging surrounding organs. We separated risk organs (the rectum and sigmoid) from the target during brachytherapy, with a hyaluronate gel injection into the pararectal space via the percutaneous paraperineal approach under local anesthesia. The rectum anchored to the sacrum by native ligament was expected to shift posteriorly. We encountered a patient with bulky stump recurrence of uterine cancer, approximately 8 cm in maximum diameter. She was complaining of abdominal pain and constipation due to bowel encasement. Following 50 Gy of external beam radiotherapy, we applied a single fraction of brachytherapy under gel separation and delivered 14.5 Gy (50.8 GyE: equivalent dose in 2-Gy fraction calculated with linear quadratic model at α/β = 3) to the target. The gel injection procedure was completed in 30 min without complications. A total irradiation dose of 100.8 GyE was delivered to the target and the cumulative minimum dose to the most irradiated rectosigmoidal volume of 2 cc (cumulative D(2cc)) was calculated as 58.5 GyE with gel injection, and was estimated to be 96 GyE without. Over three years, the local stump tumor has completely disappeared, with no complications. Brachytherapy with a pararectal gel injection can be a safe and effective eradicative option for bulky vaginal stump recurrence.

Vaginectomy: A Minimally Invasive Treatment for Cervical Cancer Vaginal Recurrence

Objective:

Radiotherapy and/or pelvic exenteration represent the treatment of vaginal recurrence, but the prognosis remains unsatisfactory and with long-term complications. We investigated the possible role of vaginectomy for isolated vaginal relapse (IVR) in cervical cancer (CC).

Methods:

Patients with vaginal CC recurrence were evaluated for surgical treatment consisting in vaginectomy. Data were prospectively collected and analyzed to identify independent prognostic factors.

Results:

Twenty-nine patients with IVR from CC were enrolled. Early and late complications were observed in 7 (24%) and 6 (21%) patients, respectively. After a median follow-up of 57.5 months (range, 8-100 months), 16 patients (55%) were disease-free. The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 70.5% and 59.4%, respectively.

Conclusions:

In carefully selected patients, vaginectomy may be considered a therapeutic option for IVR. Older patients with long disease-free interval and small recurrences benefit the most from this bladder-sparing surgical technique.

Interstitial brachytherapy for salvage treatment of vaginal recurrences in previously unirradiated endometrial cancer patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether interstitial brachytherapy can effectively salvage vaginal recurrence from endometrial carcinoma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between September 1989 and September 2000, 13 previously unirradiated patients (mean age 70 years) with isolated vaginal recurrences from endometrial adenocarcinoma were treated with interstitial low-dose-rate brachytherapy with or without additional external beam radiotherapy. Brachytherapy was delivered using a modified perineal Syed template loaded with (192)Ir. The central cylinder was loaded with high-activity (192)Ir (n = 12) or (137)Cs (n = 1).

RESULTS

The patients had initially presented with FIGO Stage I (n = 11) or III (n = 2) cancer. Vaginal recurrences were diagnosed at a mean interval of 27.5 months after hysterectomy (range 2-83). The patients were followed for a median of 60 months (range 15-105). Ten patients had recurrence at the vaginal apex and three had recurrence in the lower two-thirds of the vagina. The median time to recurrence was 22 months. The tumor size ranged from 1.5 to 6 cm (mean 2.2, median 2.5). Eleven of 13 patients received 45-50-Gy pelvic external beam radiotherapy, followed by a mean interstitial brachytherapy boost of 28.3 Gy (range 18-35). The 2 other patients received brachytherapy only of 40 Gy and 50 Gy, respectively. All tumors were locally controlled. Three (23%) of 13 patients had a relapse at distant sites (two in the paraaortic region and one in the liver). The overall 8-year actuarial disease-specific survival rate was 77%. Major (Grade 3 and 4) long-term morbidity occurred in 2 patients (15%) and included Grade 3 vaginal ulceration in 1 patient, and Grade 4 colovesical fistula requiring surgical intervention in 1 patient. Additional long-term morbidity included Grade 2 proctitis in 1 patient.

CONCLUSION

Interstitial brachytherapy with or without supplementary external beam radiotherapy can effectively salvage vaginal recurrence from endometrial cancer with very favorable local control and overall survival and acceptable morbidity.

High dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy for recurrent or residual lesions in the vaginal cuff: results in post-hysterectomy patients with carcinoma of the cervix

The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term survival, disease control, and complication rates of high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDR-ICR) alone or combined with external beam irradiation (HDR-ICR + EBRT) in patients with pathologically involved or close surgical margin in the vagina (Group 1) and recurrent lesions in the vaginal cuff (Group 2) following hysterectomy for cervical carcinoma. In Group 1, 10 patients received HDR-ICR only, and 11 patients received HDR-ICR + EBRT with or without paravaginal shielding. In Group 2, 8 patients received HDR-ICR only, and 11 patients received HDR-ICR + EBRT with or without paravaginal shielding. The HDR-ICR dose per fraction planned at the Apical Vaginal Point was 5-6 Gy per week. In Group 1, the 5-year absolute survival rates (AS), disease-free survival rates (DFS), and vaginal control rates (VC) were 81.0%, 76.2%, and 100%, respectively. The 5-year AS was lower in patients with parametrial infiltration or adenocarcinoma. In Group 2, the 5-year AS, DFS, and VC were 73.3%, 77.4% and 88.8%, respectively. The 5-year AS was lower when tumors were larger than 3 cm or infiltrated. Late complications occurred in 10 patients. In all but one patient, the complications were acceptable. All patients with cystitis, ileus, or leg edema received EBRT + HDR-ICR. We recommend a treatment regimen of 25-30 Gy of HDR-ICR alone for Group 1 patients without pathologically high risk of recurrence or Group 2 patients with superficial recurrent lesions, and a treatment regime of 50 Gy whole pelvis EBRT combined with 10-15 Gy HDR-ICR for Group 1 patients with pathologically high risk of recurrence or Group 2 patients with infiltrated recurrent lesions.

Outcome of treatment of upper third vaginal recurrences of cervical and endometrial carcinomas with interstitial brachytherapy

PURPOSE

To describe an original brachytherapy technique using a dedicated intravaginal template for the treatment of vaginal vault recurrences and to evaluate the results of such a treatment.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between 1978 and 1993, 78 patients with isolated recurrence of cervical or endometrial carcinoma located in the vaginal vault have been treated in Lyon. Initial treatment was surgery alone in 49 cases and irradiation with surgery in 37 cases. Treatment of the vaginal recurrence was performed with interstitial Iridium 192 brachytherapy combined with pelvic external beam radiation therapy in 34 patients. The tumor was implanted with a dedicated intravaginal plastic template. Six parallel metallic needles were implanted in the vaginal vault and afterloaded with Iridium 192 wires of 4 to 6 cm long. The mucosa of the upper half of the vagina received the same dose as the one encompassing the tumor on the 85% isodose of the Paris system.

RESULTS

At 5 years the local control rate was 70% and the overall survival rate 56%. Grade 3 complications occurred in 10% of the cases and only in patients who had received irradiation during the initial treatment of the primary tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

This brachytherapy technique makes it possible to perform Iridium 192 implants in a difficult situation with a favorable long-term control rate and an acceptable rate of complications.