High-dose-rate intracavitary irradiation using linear source arrangement for stage II and III squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Preliminary report of a single-channel applicator in high dose rate afterloading brachytherapy for cervical cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a patented single‐channel applicator, which was modified from the traditional tandem applicator and wrapped with an oval‐shield alloy around the source channel, has the same clinical efficacy and safety as the standard Fletcher‐type applicator in high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for carcinoma of the cervix. Between December 2011 and February 2017, 299 patients with pathologically confirmed International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2009) stage Ib2‐IVa cervical cancer were recruited to the trial and finished the allocated intervention. Of the first 151 patients, 71 were allocated to the Fletcher group and 80 to the single‐channel group, satisfying the criteria for a preliminary analysis. All but 3 patients were treated with concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy followed by HDR brachytherapy. The 2‐year overall survival, progression‐free survival, and locoregional failure‐free survival was 80.3%, 77.5%, and 78.9%, respectively, for the Fletcher group, and 86.3%, 82.5%, and 83.8%, respectively, for the single‐channel group. The seriousness of acute treatment‐related toxicities was similar in the 2 groups. The cumulative rate of late rectal complications of grade 3‐4 in the Fletcher group and the single‐channel group was 2.8% and 2.5%, respectively. The cumulative rate of grade 3 bladder complications was 2.8% for the Fletcher group and 1.3% for the single‐channel group. The preliminary results of our study show that the patented single‐channel intracavitary applicator might be able to provide protection for the rectum and bladder and seems to have the same clinical efficacy as the standard Fletcher‐type 3‐channel applicator in HDR brachytherapy for carcinoma of the cervix. This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration no. ChiCTR‐TRC‐12002321).

Comparing treatment outcomes of stage IIIB cervical cancer patients between those with and without lower third of vaginal invasion

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate treatment outcomes between stage IIIB cervical cancer with and without lower third of vaginal invasion (LTI) in terms of response to treatment and overall survival (OS).

METHODS

Matching one patient with LTI for 2 patients without LTI who had completed treatment between 1995 and 2012 were conducted by using treatment modalities (radiation therapy [RT] alone vs. concurrent chemoradiation therapy [CCRT]) and tumor histology (squamous cell carcinoma [SCC] vs. adenocarcinoma [ADC]). Treatment outcomes including complete response (CR) rate of RT/CCRT, patterns of treatment failure and survival outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 216 stage IIIB cervical cancer patients, 114 of them had no LTI and 72 had LTI. Most of the patients (83.8%) had tumor histology as SCC. The CR rates between stage IIIB without LTI and with LTI were 93.8% and 81.9% (p=0.009), and corresponding with disease progression at pelvis accounted for 18.2% and 34.4% (p=0.017), respectively. Distant metastasis was comparable between 2 groups of patients, 28.9% in patients without LTI and 29.5% in patients with LTI (p=0.988). The 2-year and 5-year OS of stage IIIB without LTI were 66.5% and 46.8% compared to stage IIIB with LTI which were 43.1% and 28.9% (p=0.004), respectively. For multivariable analysis, stage IIIB with LTI was only the influential factor on OS with hazard ratio (HR) of 1.63 (p=0.012).

CONCLUSION

Stage IIIB cervical cancer patients with LTI have poorer treatment outcomes including response to treatment and survival outcomes than patients in the same stage without LTI.

Baseline hemoglobin and liver function predict tolerability and overall survival of patients receiving radioembolization for chemotherapy-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with liver metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) often benefit from receiving ⁹⁰Y-microsphere radioembolization (RE) administered via the hepatic arteries. Prior to delivery of liver-directed radiation, standard laboratory tests may assist in improving outcome by identifying correctable pre-radiation abnormalities.

METHODS

A database containing retrospective review of consecutively treated patients of mCRC from July 2002 to December 2011 at 11 US institutions was used. Data collected included background characteristics, prior chemotherapy, surgery/ablation, radiotherapy, vascular procedures, ⁹⁰Y treatment, subsequent adverse events and survival. Kaplan-Meier estimates compared the survival of patients across lines of chemotherapy. The following values were obtained within 10 days prior to each RE treatment: haemoglobin (HGB), albumin, alkaline phosphatase (Alk phosph), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total bilirubin and creatinine. Common Terminology Criteria Adverse Events (CTCAEs) 3.0 grade was assigned to each parameter and analysed for impact on survival by line of chemotherapy. Consensus Guidelines were used to categorize the parameter grades as either within or outside guidelines for treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 606 patients (370 male; 236 female) were studied with a median follow-up was 8.5 mo. (IQR 4.3-15.6) after RE. Fewer than 11% of patients were treated outside recommended RE guidelines, with albumin being the most common, 10.5% grade 2 (<3-2.0 g/dL) at time of RE. All seven parameters showed statistically significant decreased median survivals with any grade >0 (P<0.001) across all lines of prior chemotherapy. Compared to grade 0, grade 2 albumin decreased overall survival 67%; for grade 2 total bilirubin a 63% drop occurred, and grade 1 HGB resulted in 66% lower median survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Review of pre-RE laboratory parameters may aid in improving median survivals if correctable grade >0 values are addressed prior to radiation delivery. HGB <10 g/dL is a well-known negative factor in radiation response and is easily corrected. Improving other parameters is more challenging. These efforts are important in optimizing treatment response to liver radiotherapy.

Evaluation of Survival and Treatment Toxicity With High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy With Cobalt 60 in Carcinoma of Cervix

Background:

Cervical cancer remains to be a major health problem and cancer-related cause of death among women in developing countries such as Iran where the most cases are diagnosed in locally advanced stage.

Objectives:

This cross sectional-analytic study aims to report outcome 154 patients with carcinoma of cervix were treated with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy with cobalt 60 (Co-6o) remote after loading system.

Patients and Methods:

A total of 154 patients with the international federation of gynecologist and oncologist (FIGO) stages I-IVA with histopathologically confirmed carcinoma of cervix, followed by the radiation-oncology ward of Shohada-e-Tajrish Hospital in Tehran, Iran, between February 2008 and March 2015. They were completed their scheduled EBRT and HDR brachytherapy with Co-60 remote after loading system. Out of this, 132 patients completed their standard follow up protocol. They were analyzed for 3-year disease-free survival (DFS), 3-year overall survival (OS) incidence of acute and late complications for HDR brachytherapy.

Results:

Fourteen patients (9.1 %) were in stage I (FIGO classification), 8 (5.2%) were in stage IIA, 26 (16.9%) were in stage IIB, 100 (64.9%) were in stage III, and 6 (3.9 %) were in stage IVA. The follow up duration was between 6 - 60 months with a median of 38 months. Overall rectal and bladder treatment toxicity rates were 33.7%. The 3-year DFS rate was 85.7%, 70.7 %, 41% and 16.6% for stages I, II, III, IVA respectively. Favorable prognostic factors in univariate and multivariate analysis were early stage, tumor size < 4 cm (after adjusting for the residual disease after radiation), no pelvic lymph node involvement and 1 week Gap between EBRT and HDR brachytherapy in 3-year DFS (P = 0.001, P = 0.012, P = 0.005, P = 0.005, respectively). The 3-year OS rate was 85.7%, 76.4%, 42%, and 33.3% for stages I, II, III, and IVA, respectively. Favorable prognostic factors in univariate and multivariate analysis were early stage, tumor size < 4 cm, no pelvic lymph node involvement, 1 week gap between EBRT and HDR brachytherapy and no distant metastasis (during the follow up) in 3-year OS (P = 0.001, P = 0.002, P = 0.002, P = 0.002, P = 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions:

HDR brachytherapy with Co-60 remote after loading system was successful and it showed HDR brachytherapy in treating patients with carcinoma of cervix was effective after EBRT with acceptable rectal and bladder complications.

Prognostic significance of clusterin expression in advanced-stage cervical cancer treated with curative intended radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

Overexpression of clusterin (CLU), an antiapoptotic molecule, has been reported to induce resistance to radiotherapy (RT) in a variety of cancer cell types. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of CLU expression to predict survival of patients with advanced-stage cervical cancer who received curative intended RT.

METHODS

Biopsy tissue specimens of advanced-stage cervical cancer before curative intended RT were obtained from 34 patients who were treated at Hokkaido University Hospital between 1998 and 2008 and whose complete medical records were available. The expression of CLU protein was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Findings were evaluated in relation to several clinicopathological factors. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test. Independent prognostic factors were determined by multivariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Clusterin protein was mainly present in the cytoplasm of cervical cancer cells. The expression of CLU protein in cervical cancer tissues before curative intended RT was not significantly related to any clinicopathological factors analyzed, including age, clinical stage, histologic type, and response to RT. Univariate analysis on prognostic factors showed that histologic type (P = 0.001), and CLU expression (P = 0.02) were related to survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that both histologic type (P = 0.002), and CLU expression (P = 0.02) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that CLU could be a new molecular marker to predict overall survival of patients with advanced-stage cervical cancer treated with curative intended RT.

Treatment outcomes of concurrent weekly carboplatin with radiation therapy in locally advanced cervical cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate treatment outcomes of locally advanced cervical cancer patients who received concurrent weekly carboplatin with radiation therapy.

METHODS

Patients with locally advanced cervical cancer who had primary radiation treatment in concurrent with weekly carboplatin (100mg/m(2) or AUC 2) from 1997 to 2008 were identified. Demographic data, chemotherapy cycles, total treatment time, toxicities, and treatment outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-eight patients with stage IIB (50.7%), IIIB (48.0%) and IVA (1.3%) cervical cancer patients were included in the study. Median total treatment time was 53.5 days (range, 45-100 days). Carboplatin was given for a median number of 6 cycles (range, 3-6 cycles). Complete response was achieved in 142 patients (95.9%) while six (4.1%) had persistent diseases. Among the 142 responders, 36 experienced recurrences: pelvic recurrences in seven (4.7%), distant failure in 25 (16.9%), and both pelvic and distant in four (2.7%). The 2-year and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 75.1% and 63.0%, respectively with the corresponding 2-year and 5-year overall survival rates of 81.9% and 63.5%. No grade 3 or 4 hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities were observed during treatment in any patients. Late grade 3-4 gastrointestinal or genitourinary toxicities were 10.1% and 0.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Concurrent weekly carboplatin with radiation therapy yields high response rate with modest progression-free and overall survivals in locally advanced cervical cancer. The regimen is feasible with minimal toxicities.

High dose three-dimensional conformal boost using the real-time tumor tracking radiotherapy system in cervical cancer patients unable to receive intracavitary brachytherapy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of treatment with a high dose of 3-dimensional conformal boost (3DCB) using a real-time tracking radiation therapy (RTRT) system in cervical cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2001 and December 2004, 10 patients with cervical cancer were treated with a high dose 3DCB using RTRT system. Nine patients received whole pelvis radiation therapy (RT) with a median dose of 50 Gy (range, 40-50 Gy) before the 3DCB. The median dose of the 3DCB was 30 Gy (range, 25-30 Gy). Eight patients received the 3DCB twice a week with a daily fraction of 5 Gy. The determined endpoints were tumor response, overall survival, local failure free survival, and distant metastasis free survival. The duration of survival was calculated from the time of the start of radiotherapy.

RESULTS

All patients were alive at the time of analysis and the median follow-up was 17.6 months (range, 4.9-27.3 months). Complete response was achieved in nine patients and one patient had a partial response. The 1- and 2-year local failure free survival was 78.8% and 54%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year distant metastasis free survival was 90% and 72%, respectively. Late toxicity of a grade 2 rectal hemorrhage was seen in one patient. A subcutaneous abscess was encountered in one patient.

CONCLUSION

The use of the high dose 3DCB in the treatment of cervical cancer is safe and feasible where intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) is unable to be performed. The escalation of the 3DCB dose is currently under evaluation.

High Dose-Rate Intracavitary Brachytherapy for Cervical Carcinomas With Lower Vaginal Infiltration

PURPOSE

This report presents the clinical applications of an automated treatment-planning program of high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDR-ICBT) for advanced uterine cervical cancer infiltrating the parametrium and the lower vagina.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We adopted HDR-ICBT under optimized dose distribution for 22 cervical cancer patients with tumor infiltration of the lower half of the vagina. All patients had squamous cell carcinoma with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics clinical stages IIB-IVA. After whole pelvic external beam irradiation with a median dose of 30.6 Gy, a conventional ICBT was applied as "pear-shaped" isodose curve. Then 3-4 more sessions per week of this new method of ICBT were performed. With a simple determination of the treatment volume, the cervix-parametrium, and the lower vagina were covered automatically and simultaneously by this program, that was designated as "utero-vaginal brachytherapy". The mean follow-up period was 87.4 months (range, 51.8-147.9 months).

RESULTS

Isodose curve for this program was "galaxy-shaped". Five-year local-progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 90.7% and 81.8%, respectively. Among those patients with late complications higher than Grade 2 Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer morbidity score, only one (4.5%) developed severe proctitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the favorable treatment outcomes, this treatment-planning program with a simplified target-volume based dosimetry was proposed for cervical cancer with lower vaginal infiltration.

High-dose rate brachytherapy in the treatment of carcinoma of uterine cervix: twenty-year experience with cobalt after-loading system

This retrospective analysis aims to report results of patients with cancer of uterine cervix treated with external-beam radiotherapy (EBR) and high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, using manual treatment planning. From 1975 to 1995, 237 patients with FIGO stages IIB-IVA and mean age of 54.31 years were treated. EBR dose to the whole pelvis was 50 Gy in 25 fractions. Brachytherapy with HDR after-loading cobalt source (Cathetron) was performed following EBR completion with a dose of 30 Gy in three weekly fractions of 10 Gy to point A. Survival, local control, and genitourinary and gastrointestinal complications were assessed. In a median follow-up of 60.2 months, the 10-year overall and disease-free survival rate was 62.4%. Local recurrence was seen in 12.2% of patients. Distant metastases to the lymph nodes, peritoneum, lung, liver, and bone occurred in 25.3% of patients. Less than 6% of patients experienced severe genitourinary and/or gastrointestinal toxicity that were relieved by surgical intervention. No treatment-related mortality was seen. This series suggests that 50 Gy to the whole pelvis together with three fractions of 10 Gy to point A with HDR brachytherapy is an effective fractionation schedule in the treatment of locally advanced cancer of cervix. To decrease the complications, newer devices and treatment planning may be beneficial.

Anemia, tumor hypoxemia, and the cancer patient

PURPOSE

To review the impact of anemia/tumor hypoxemia on the quality of life and survival in cancer patients, and to assess the problems associated with the correction of this difficulty.

METHODS

MEDLINE searches were performed to find relevant literature regarding anemia and/or tumor hypoxia in cancer patients. Articles were evaluated in order to assess the epidemiology, adverse patient effects, anemia correction guidelines, and mechanisms of hypoxia-induced cancer cell growth and/or therapeutic resistance. Past and current clinical studies of radiosensitization via tumor oxygenation/hypoxic cell sensitization were reviewed. All clinical studies using multi-variate analysis were analyzed to show whether or not anemia and/or tumor hypoxemia affected tumor control and patient survival. Articles dealing with the correction of anemia via transfusion and/or erythropoietin were reviewed in order to show the impact of the rectification on the quality of life and survival of cancer patients.

RESULTS

Approximately 40-64% of patients presenting for cancer therapy are anemic. The rate of anemia rises with the use of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. Anemia is associated with reductions both in quality of life and survival. Tumor hypoxemia has been hypothesized to lead to tumor growth and resistance to therapy because it leads to angiogenesis, genetic mutations, resistance to apoptosis, and a resistance to free radicals from chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Nineteen clinical studies of anemia and eight clinical studies of tumor hypoxemia were found that used multi-variate analysis to determine the effect of these conditions on the local control and/or survival of cancer patients. Despite differing definitions of anemia and hypoxemia, all studies have shown a correlation between low hemoglobin levels and/or higher amounts of tumor hypoxia with poorer prognosis. Radiosensitization through improvements in tumor oxygenation/hypoxic cell sensitization has met with limited success via the use of hyperbaric oxygen, electron-affinic radiosensitizers, and mitomycin. Improvements in tumor oxygenation via the use of carbogen and nicotinamide, RSR13, and tirapazamine have shown promising clinical results and are all currently being tested in Phase III trials. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend transfusion or erythropoietin for symptomatic patients with a hemoglobin of 10-11 g/dl and state that erythropoietin should strongly be considered if hemoglobin falls to less than 10 g/dl. These recommendations were based on studies that revealed an improvement in the quality of life of cancer patients, but not patient survival with anemia correction. Phase III studies evaluating the correction of anemia via erythropoietin have shown mixed results with some studies reporting a decrease in patient survival despite an improvement in hemoglobin levels. Diverse functions of erythropoietin are reviewed, including its potential to inhibit apoptosis via the JAK2/STAT5/BCL-X pathway. Correction of anemia by the use of blood transfusions has also shown a decrement in patient survival, possibly through inflammatory and/or immunosuppressive pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Anemia is a prevalent condition associated with cancer and its therapies. Proper Phase III trials are necessary to find the best way to correct anemia for specific patients. Future studies of erythropoietin must evaluate the possible anti-apoptotic effects by directly assessing the tumor for erythropoietin receptors or the presence of the JAK2/STAT5/BCL-X pathway. Due to the ability of transfusions to cause immunosuppression, most probably through inflammatory pathways, it may be best to study the effects of transfusion with the prolonged use of anti-inflammatory medications.

High dose three-dimensional conformal boost (3DCB) using an orthogonal diagnostic X-ray set-up for patients with gynecological malignancy: a new application of real-time tumor-tracking system

The feasibility and accuracy of high dose three-dimensional conformal boost (3DCB) using three internal fiducial markers and a two-orthogonal X-ray set-up of the real-time tumor-tracking system on patients with gynecological malignacy were investigated in 10 patients. The standard deviation of the distribution of systematic deviations (Sigma) was reduced from 3.8, 4.6, and 4.9 mm in the manual set-up to 2.3, 2.3 and 2.7 mm in the set-up using the internal markers. The average standard deviation of the distribution of random deviations (sigma) was reduced from 3.7, 5.0, and 4.5 mm in the manual set-up to 3.3, 3.0, and 4.2 mm in the marker set-up. The appropriate PTV margin was estimated to be 10.2, 12.8, and 12.9 mm in the manual set-up and 6.9, 6.7, and 8.3 mm in the gold marker set-up, respectively, using the formula 2Sigma + 0.7sigma. Set-up of the patients with three markers and two fluoroscopy is useful to reduce PTV margin and perform 3DCB.

Prognostic impact of hemoglobin levels on treatment outcome in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with sequential chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone

BACKGROUND

The goal of the current study was to investigate the impact of hemoglobin (Hb) levels on treatment outcome in a randomized Phase III trial of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy or with radiotherapy alone.

METHODS

Between September 1989 and August 1993, 334 patients with advanced NPC were entered into a randomized trial comparing 3 cycles of induction chemotherapy (cisplatin and epirubicin) followed by radiotherapy with radiotherapy alone. Only evaluable patients who completed radiation were included in the analysis (n = 286). Patients were stratified into normal and low Hb groups according to baseline, preradiation, and midradiation Hb levels. Local recurrence-free, distant metastasis-free, and disease-specific survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox model.

RESULTS

In the chemotherapy arm, the mean baseline, preradiation, and midradiation Hb levels were 13.6, 11.0, and 11.8 g/dL, respectively. In the radiotherapy arm, the mean baseline/preradiation and midradiation Hb levels were 13.7 and 12.9 g/dL, respectively. A midradiation Hb level < or = 11 g/dL was associated with significantly poorer 5-year local recurrence-free (60% vs. 80%; P = 0.0059) and disease-specific survival rates (51% vs. 68%; P = 0.001), with no difference in distant metastasis-free rates (69% vs. 67%; P = 0.83). No significant difference in treatment outcome according to baseline or preradiation Hb levels was noted. Multivariate analysis showed that a low midradiation Hb level, but not a low baseline or preradiation Hb level, was an independent predictor of local disease recurrence and malignancy-related death.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study showed that midradiation Hb level was an important prognostic factor with respect to local control and survival in patients with NPC. The high incidence of anemia after chemotherapy has a negative impact on treatment outcome, and this condition may reduce the benefit of induction chemotherapy. Attempts to correct anemia during radiation and the impact of anemia on treatment outcome requires further study.

Long-term results of proton beam therapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix

PURPOSE

To determine the role of proton therapy in patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between 1983 and 1991, 25 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (stages IIB-IVA) were treated with a curative intent by external photon irradiation to the pelvis, followed by proton irradiation to the primary tumor, delivering a median total tumor dose of 86 Gy (range 71 Gy/26 Fr-101 Gy/46 Fr), and were followed for a median period of 139 months (range 11-184 months).

RESULTS

Ten-year overall survival rates for stages IIB and IIIB/IVA patients were 89% and 40%, respectively. Five-year local control rates for stages IIB and IIIB/IVA patients were 100% and 61%, respectively. Four percent of patients experienced severe (Grade 4 or more) late complications in the intestine or urinary bladder at 5 years.

CONCLUSION

External photon and proton therapy is effective for those who are not eligible for intracavitary irradiation, and who otherwise have a poor prognosis. The results show that tumor control, survival, and morbidity are similar to those after conventional therapy.

Impact of tumor hypoxia and anemia on radiation therapy outcomes

Local recurrence remains a major obstacle to achieving cure of many locally advanced solid tumors treated with definitive radiation therapy. The microenvironment of solid tumors is hypoxic compared with normal tissue, and this hypoxia is associated with decreased radiosensitivity. Recent preclinical data also suggest that intratumoral hypoxia, particularly in conjunction with an acid microenvironment, may be directly or indirectly mutagenic. Investigations of the prognostic significance of the pretreatment oxygenation status of tumors in patients with head and neck or cervical cancer have demonstrated that increased hypoxia, typically designated in these studies as pO(2) levels below 2.5-10 mm Hg, is associated with decreased local tumor control and lower rates of disease-free and overall survival. Hypoxia-directed therapies in the radiation oncology setting include treatment using hyperbaric oxygen, fluosol infusion, carbogen breathing, and electron-affinic and hypoxic-cell sensitizers. These interventions have shown the potential to increase the effectiveness of curative-intent radiation therapy, demonstrating that the strategy of overcoming hypoxia may be a viable and important approach. Anemia is common in the cancer population and is suspected to contribute to intratumoral hypoxia. A review of the literature reveals that a low hemoglobin level before or during radiation therapy is an important risk factor for poor locoregional disease control and survival, implying that a strong correlation could exist between anemia and hypoxia (ultimately predicting for a poor outcome). While having a low hemoglobin level has been shown to be detrimental, it is unclear as to exactly what the threshold for "low" should be (studies in this area have used thresholds ranging from 9-14.5 g/dl). Optimal hemoglobin and pO(2) thresholds for improving outcomes may vary across and within tumor types, and this is an area that clearly requires further evaluation. Nonetheless, the correction of anemia may be a worthwhile strategy for radiation oncologists to improve local control and survival.

Evaluation of the effect of routine packed red blood cell transfusion in anemic cervix cancer patients treated with radical radiotherapy

PURPOSE

It is well established that anemia predicts diminished radiocurability in cervix cancer. However, the therapeutic benefit of measures to correct the anemia remains controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of routine transfusion in patients with hemoglobin level (hb-l) < or =11 g/dl.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Since 1985, it has been departmental policy to attempt to correct hb-l < or =11 g/dl before and/or during radiotherapy by red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) in patients undergoing radical radiotherapy for primary cervix cancer. To assess the benefit of RBCT, the charts of 204 patients (FIGO: IB-IV) treated until 1997 were reviewed. Parameters analyzed for their impact on disease-specific survival (DSS), pelvic control (PC), and metastases-free survival (MFS) included pretreatment hb-l, treatment hb-l, stage, tumor size, and lymph node status. To determine any differences in outcome according to type of anemia, a separate analysis was performed, grouping patients by cause of anemia (tumor vs. other medical illness related).

RESULTS

Each of the parameters tested was significantly correlated with the end points studied in univariate analysis. Patients whose hb-l were corrected (18.5%) had an outcome that did not differ significantly from that of nontransfused patients, whereas DSS, PC, and MFS (all: p < 0.001) were significantly decreased in nonresponders to RBCT. Subgroup analysis showed no impact of hb-l in patients with other medical illness-related anemia (n = 12). In multivariate analysis treatment, but not pretreatment, hb-l remained predictive for DSS, PC, and MFS. Persistent anemia was associated with a significantly increased risk of death (relative risk: 2.1) and pelvic failure (relative risk: 2.4) compared with nontransfused patients. If only patients with tumor anemia were considered, the respective risks increased (2.7; 3.6). None of the patients with other causes of anemia recurred, whether or not their hb-l was maintained. Assessment of the therapeutic gain in patients who responded to RBCT showed improved PC (p = 0.02) and a trend toward increased DSS (p = 0.06), but no effect on MFS after adjustment for tumor size and lymph node status.

CONCLUSION

Treatment hb-l, in addition to tumor size and lymph node status, independently predicted outcome. Although our final multivariate analysis showed a therapeutic benefit for patients whose hb-l was corrected, the response to RBCT was disappointing. Results of our subgroup analysis suggest that the cause of anemia in patients with cervical cancer warrants in-depth investigation.

A study of risk factors for ovarian metastases in stage Ib-IIIb cervical carcinoma and analysis of ovarian function after a transposition

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study was to examine the incidence and risk factors of ovarian metastases in cervical carcinoma. The function of transposed ovaries was also studied.

METHODS

In order to analyze the risk factors of ovarian metastases, 255 slides of pathological specimens were reassessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Fifty-six patients were studied prospectively on the basis of the function of transposed ovaries. Basal body temperature and serum hormone levels were analyzed.

RESULTS

Ovarian metastasis was identified in 2 of 485 (0.4%) patients with squamous cell carcinoma and in 12 of 146 (8.2%) patients with nonsquamous tumors of the cervix. Histologic type (P = 0.0014) and blood vessel invasion (P = 0.0433) were significant independent risk factors for ovarian metastases, as revealed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Cumulative survival curves of preserved ovaries showed a significant (P < 0.005) decline in the group with postoperative radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Preservation of ovarian function should be pursued in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, provided that the patient has no other risk factor (blood vessel invasion) for ovarian metastases. Moreover, sufficient attention should be paid to the proper handling of ovarian blood vessels during surgery, in order to shield and protect them from exposure to scattered radiation administered during postoperative radiotherapy.