High-dose-rate Brachytherapy and Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Surgery for Stage Ib-IIb Cervical Cancer: Single Institution Experience

Abstract

Background: There are still controversies about the benefit of surgery after concurrent radiochemotherapy (CRT) for locally advanced cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate toxicity, local tumor control and overall survival of surgery after CRT in stage IB-IIB cervical cancer. Patients and Methods: Between 2002 and 2008, 24 patients with stage IB-IIB cervical cancer were treated with external-beam radiotherapy concomitantly with chemotherapy. High-dose rate brachytherapy fractions were given once weekly. Radical hysterectomy was undertaken after a median of 42 days. Results: Overall survival at five years was estimated at 75% (95% confidence interval=52-88%) and sustained thereafter through to 8.9 years. No patient experienced local failure in the surgical bed. Postoperative complications were recorded in two patients. Conclusion: Surgery after CRT in stage IB-IIB cervical cancer is safe and leads to better local control of the disease and overall survival.