Radiat Oncol J.  2013 Dec;31(4):216-221. 10.3857/roj.2013.31.4.216.

Short-course palliative radiotherapy for uterine cervical cancer

• Kim DH
• Lee JH
• Ki YK
• Nam JH
• Kim WT
• Jeon HS
• Park D
• Kim DW

• KMID: 2051141
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3857/roj.2013.31.4.216

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of short-course hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT) for the palliation of uterine cervical cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Seventeen patients with cancer of the uterine cervix, who underwent palliative hypofractionated 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy between January 2002 and June 2012, were retrospectively analyzed. RT was delivered to symptomatic lesions (both the primary mass and/or metastatic regional lymph nodes). The total dose was 20 to 25 Gy (median, 25 Gy) in 5 Gy daily fractions.
RESULTS
The median follow-up duration was 12.2 months (range, 4 to 24 months). The median survival time was 7.8 months (range, 4 to 24 months). Vaginal bleeding was the most common presenting symptom followed by pelvic pain (9 patients). The overall response rates were 93.8% and 66.7% for vaginal bleeding control and pelvic pain, respectively. Nine patients did not have any acute side effects and 7 patients showed minor gastrointestinal toxicity. Only 1 patient had grade 3 diarrhea 1 week after completion of treatment, which was successfully treated conservatively. Late complications occurred in 4 patients; however, none of these were of grade 3 or higher severity.
CONCLUSION
Short-course hypofractionated RT was effective and well tolerated as palliative treatment for uterine cervical cancer.

Keyword

Cervix uteri; Carcinoma; Palliation; Hypofractionation; Radiotherapy

MeSH Terms

Cervix Uteri
Diarrhea
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Palliative Care
Pelvic Pain
Radiotherapy*
Radiotherapy, Conformal
Retrospective Studies
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*
Uterine Hemorrhage