Extended-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy for postoperative cervical cancer with common iliac or para-aortic lymph node metastases: a retrospective review in a single institution.

OBJECTIVE: Retrospectively, to assess the toxicity of delivering postoperative extended-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (EF-IMRT) and concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy for patients with cervical cancer with a pathologically confirmed positive common iliac node and/or a para-aortic node.

METHODS: Each patient received postoperative EF-IMRT and concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy. The clinical target volume included regional lymph node regions (obturator; common, internal, and external iliac nodal regions; presacral region; and para-aortic regions) and the upper 2.0 cm of the vagina and paravaginal soft tissue lateral to the vagina. The acute and late toxicity were scored using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group late radiation morbidity scoring criteria, respectively.

RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were treated with postoperative EF-IMRT and concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 34 months. Eighteen patients (31%) had recurrence. The region of recurrence was in-field in 2 patients (3.4%) and out-field in 16 patients (27.6%). Acute grade 3 or higher gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and hematologic toxicity occurred in 2, 1, and 11 patients, respectively. Three patients (5.1%) had late grade 3 toxicities. Thirteen patients experienced ovarian transposition; of these, 10 patients (77%) maintained ovarian function. Forty-one patients (71%) were alive at the last follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy with postoperative EF-IMRT was safe and well tolerated. The acute and late toxicities are acceptable. The locoregional control rates are hopeful, although distant metastases continue to be the primary mode of failure. Postoperative EF-IMRT provides an opportunity to preserve endocrine function for patients with ovarian transposition.