World Journal of Surgical Oncology (Mar 2023)

Completion surgery after intensity-modulated arc therapy for locally advanced cervical cancer: long-term follow-up and update on surgical outcome and oncologic results of a unique tertiary care single-center retrospective cohort

  • Axel Van Damme,
  • Julie Rombaut,
  • Amin Makar,
  • Emiel De Jaeghere,
  • Eline Naert,
  • Hannelore Denys,
  • Rawand Salihi,
  • Philippe Tummers,
  • Katrien Vandecasteele

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12957-023-02971-5
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 21, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Background Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by brachytherapy (BT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC), but replacement of BT by surgery (CRT-S) could be an acceptable alternative. The main concern is the risk of operative morbidity. The aim is to report on therapeutic morbidity, OS, PC, and LC of CRT-S. Methods This was a single tertiary center retrospective cohort study in patients treated with CRT-S. A type II Wertheim hysterectomy was performed 6–8 weeks after CRT. Acute and chronic radiotherapy-related and surgical morbidity was classified according to the CTCAE v4.0. OS, and DFS, PC, and LC were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were performed to determine variables with a prognostic role. Results A total of 130 consecutive LACC patients were treated with CRT, and 119 underwent completion surgery. The median follow-up was 53 months. Five-year OS rate, local control, pelvic control, and 5-year DFS rate were 73%, 93%, 90%, and 74%, respectively. The 5-year OS rate was 92%/72%/67%/56% for FIGO (2009) stage I/II/III/IV, respectively. The five-year OS rate was 79% and 71% for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (p > 0.05), respectively. There was no intra- and perioperative mortality. Intraoperative and early postoperative complication rates were 7% and 20% (3% ≥ G3), respectively; they resolved within 3 months. The late postoperative complication rate was 9% (7% ≥ G3). Acute/late radiotherapy-related G3 side effects were 5%/3% for gastrointestinal and 3%/7% for genitourinary side effects. Conclusions CRT-S is safe with an acceptable rate of complications for both the CRT and completion surgery and shows encouraging outcome data for stage III/IV and adenocarcinoma patients.

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