| Title | Postoperative accelerated radiotherapy with cytoprotection followed by three-dimensional conformal boost in patients with early endometrial/cervical cancer. | | Author(s) | Koukourakis MI, Tsoutsou PG, Abatzoglou I, Soulimioti G, Sismanidou K, Liberis V, Giatromanolaki A, Sivridis E, Galazios G | | Institution | Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece. targ@her.forthnet.gr | | Source | Tumori 2009 Jul-Aug; 95(4):455-60. | | Abstract | AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Adjuvant external beam radiotherapy is highly recommended for uterine carcinomas invading beyond the inner half of the myometrium or cervical stage IIa carcinomas. The addition of a booster intracavitary dose is widely used.
METHODS: We assessed the feasibility and toxicity of a hypofractionated accelerated conformal radiotherapy scheme (2.7 Gy per fraction, for 14 consecutive fractions to the pelvis) supported with the cytoprotective agent amifostine (HypoARC). The amifostine dose was individualized (500-1000 mg daily subcutaneously). A booster dose of radiation was given to the vagina and stump using a 6-field 3D-conformal technique (3 x 4 Gy or 4 x 3 Gy) instead of intracavitary radiotherapy.
RESULTS: Grade 2 diarrhea appeared in 9/25 (36%) and grade 1 cystitis in 7/25 (28%) cases. Analysis according to the amifostine dose level clearly showed reduced toxicity in patients receiving a daily dose of 750-1000 mg (P < 0.009). Within a median follow-up of 31 months (range, 11-52), there was only one case with grade 2 colitis (the patient had received no amifostine). None of the patients treated has relapsed locally or to distant organs within a median of 31 months of follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS. It is concluded that HypoARC followed by 3D-conformal booster dose to the vagina is feasible and convenient for patients and for busy radiotherapy departments, as it reduces the overall time by 50%. When supported by high-dose daily amifostine, it has an impressively low rate of early and late radiation toxicity. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 19856656 |
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