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ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To describe the waiting time for radiotherapy for patients with cervical cancer. METHODS This descriptive study was conducted with 342 cervical cancer cases that were referred to primary radiotherapy, in the Baixada Fluminense region, RJ, Southeastern Brazil, from October 1995 to August 2010. The waiting time was calculated using the recommended 60-day deadline as a parameter to obtaining the first cancer treatment and considering the date at which the diagnosis was confirmed, the date of first oncological consultation and date when the radiotherapy began. Median and proportional comparisons were made using the Kruskal Wallis and Chi-square tests. RESULTS Most of the women (72.2%) began their radiotherapy within 60 days from the diagnostic confirmation date. The median of this total waiting time was 41 days. This median worsened over the time period, going from 11 days (1995-1996) to 64 days (2009-2010). The median interval between the diagnostic confirmation and the first oncological consultation was 33 days, and between the first oncological consultation and the first radiotherapy session was four days. The median waiting time differed significantly (p = 0.003) according to different stages of the tumor, reaching 56 days, 35 days and 30 days for women whose cancers were classified up to IIA; from IIB to IIIB, and IVA-IVB, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Despite most of the women having had access to radiotherapy within the recommended 60 days, the implementation of procedures to define the stage of the tumor and to reestablish clinical conditions took a large part of this time, showing that at least one of these intervals needs to be improved. Even though the waiting times were ideal for all patients, the most advanced cases were quickly treated, which suggests that access to radiotherapy by women with cervical cancer has been reached with equity.
RESUMO OBJETIVO Descrever o tempo de espera para realização de radioterapia em casos de câncer do colo do útero. MÉTODOS Estudo descritivo conduzido com 342 mulheres com câncer do colo do útero encaminhadas para radioterapia primária na Baixada Fluminense, RJ, período de 1995 a 2010. O tempo de espera foi calculado tendo como parâmetro o prazo de 60 dias para obter o primeiro tratamento do câncer e considerando a data da confirmação diagnóstica, a da primeira consulta oncológica e da primeira sessão de radioterapia. A comparação de medianas e proporções foi feita pelos testes de Kruskal Wallis e Qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS A maioria das mulheres (72,2%) iniciou a radioterapia dentro de 60 dias da data da confirmação diagnóstica. A mediana do tempo de espera total foi de 41 dias. Essa mediana piorou ao longo do período e passou de 11 dias (1995 a 1996) para 64 dias (2009 a 2010). A mediana do intervalo entre confirmação diagnóstica e primeira consulta oncológica foi de 33 dias, e da primeira consulta oncológica à primeira sessão de radioterapia, foi quatro dias. Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa (p = 0,003) da mediana do tempo de espera total segundo o estadiamento do tumor, obtendo-se 56 dias, 35 dias e 30 dias para os casos classificados até IIA, IIB-IIIB, e IVA-IVB, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES Embora a maioria das mulheres tenha tido acesso à radioterapia dentro de 60 dias, a implementação de procedimentos para definição do estadiamento do tumor e restabelecimento das condições clínicas consumiu grande parte do tempo e precisa de aprimoramento. Ainda que o tempo de espera não tenha sido o ideal para todas as pacientes, os casos mais avançados chegaram mais rápido ao tratamento, sugerindo que o acesso à radioterapia para esse tipo de câncer tem sido alcançado com equidade.
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Humans , Female , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Young Adult , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Waiting Lists , Time-to-Treatment , Appointments and Schedules , Socioeconomic Factors , Brazil , Retrospective Studies , Health Services Accessibility , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the relationship between dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters and the late side effects (LSE) of the rectum in external-beam radiotherapy combined with computed tomography (CT)-based brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer.Methods From 2008 to 2011,18 patients with stage ⅡB-ⅢB cervical cancer received external-beam radiotherapy and CTbased brachytherapy.The DVH parameters of high-risk clinical target volume (HR CTV) D90,point A dose,and D1 cm3 and D2 cm3 of the rectum and bladder were calculated by Oncentra HDR treatment planning system.Survival outcomes were followed up and rectal LSE were evaluated by RTOG/EORTC grades.Results The point A dose and HR CTV D90 were (93.0 ± 5.5) Gy and (73.6 ± 11.9) Gy,respectively.The median follow-up was 26 months.No recurrence was found during follow-up.Eight patients had mild and moderate rectal LSE,and their rectum D2 cm3 and D1 cm3 were significantly higher than those of patients without mild and moderate rectal LSE (D2 cm3:(87.4 ± 3.8) Gy vs.(75.8 ± 7.4) Gy,P =0.004 ; D1 cm3:(96.4±6.6) Gy vs.(80.5± 7.1) Gy,P=0.001).Conclusions HR CTV D90 in CT-based brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer might be lower than that in the MRI-based plan.Rectum D2 cm3 is recommended to be less than 75 Gy.
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Objective To analyze the disease-free survival (DFS) and prognostic factors for stage Ⅰ_b cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated by radical hysterectomy. Methods From January 1999 to December 2005, a total of 206 patients with uterus cervical squamous cell carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were treated by type 3 hysterectomy and pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy at Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The diseases were stage Ⅰ_(B1) and Ⅰ_(B2)= in 103 patients each. Seventy-nine (76.7%) patients had preoperative radiotherapy and 111 (53. 9%) had postoperative adjuvant treatment (PosAT). Prognostic factors were analyzed using univariate model and multivariate Cox model. Results The follow-up rate was 92. 7%. 106 patients had following-up time of five years. The overall 5-year survival rate and the disease-free survival rate of stage Ⅰ_b,Ⅰ_(B1) and Ⅰ_(B2) were 96. 3% and 86. 8%, 100% and 94. 6%, 92. 2% and 77.9%, respectively. Univariate predictors of DFS included tumor size (FIGO stage, 77.9% : 94. 6% ; Χ~2 = 5. 58, P = 0. 018), lympho-vascular space involvement (LVSI, 74.6% : 89. 8% ; Χ~2 = 10. 44, P =0. 001), vaginal involvement (purely fornix involvement was not included disease, 50% : 87. 9% ; Χ~2 = 7.01,P = 0. 008), parametrial involvement (PI, Χ~2 = 17.69 ,P = 0. 000), and metastatic lymph nodes (LNM) > 2 (Χ~2 = 21.47, P = 0. 000) in stage Ⅰ_b disease, while LVSI (Χ~2 =6. 35,P =0. 012), PI (Χ~2 =90.00,P =0. 000) and LNM >2(Χ~2 =26. 27,P = 0. 000) in stage Ⅰ_(B1) disease, LVSI (Χ~2=10. 12,P =0. 001), cervical canal involvement (Χ~2 =4. 60,P = 0.032), vaginal involvement (Χ~2 =5.87,P=0.015), PI (Χ~2 =4.78,P=0.029) and LNM >2(Χ~2= 6. 72, P = 0. 010) in stage Ⅰ_(B2) disease. In multivariate analysis, FIGO stage (Χ~2 = 4. 73 ,P =0. 030), LVSI (Χ~2 = 9. 81, P = 0. 002), and LNM > 2 (Χ~2 = 6. 30, P = 0. 012) were significantly associated with DFS in stage Ⅰ_b, while LVSI (Χ~2 = 6. 38, P = O. 012) and LNM > 2 (Χ~2 = 3.92, P = 0. 048) were significantly associated with DFS in stage Ⅰ_(B2)-Conclusions LVSI is an important prognostic factor for stage Ⅰ_(B1) cervical cancer. PosAT reduces the recurrences in stage Ⅰ_(B2) desease. When PosAT is needed, preoperative radiotherapy can not improve DFS. PosAT should not be commonly used for stage Ⅰ_(B1) disease with only deep muscularis invasion.