Treatment Outcome Of External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) With Intracavitary Radiotherapy (ICRT) In Ca Cervix: An Institutional Experience

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Ca Cervix is the second most common malignancy in Indian women. Most of the cases present in advanced stage. Radiotherapy is an important modality of treatment. Combination of EBRT and ICRT is an effective strategy which is based on the principle that we are able to give high radiation dose to tumor while sparing surrounding normal tissue.Aim and Objectives:The aim was to evaluate the 3 year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of patients treated by EBRT and ICRT. The objectives were to evaluate radiation toxicities and to evaluate rate of residual disease, recurrence and distant metastases.Materials and Methods: It is a Retrospective analytical study. We analyzed 468 newly diagnosed cases of Ca Cervix registered in department between January2009 to December2013. Out of which 382 completed radical radiotherapy (EBRT+ICRT).Results: At the end of 3 years 58(15.18%) patients lost to follow-up, 48(12.56%) residual disease, 60(15.70%) local recurrence and 26(6.80%) had distant metastases. The DFS was 73.91% in Stage-I and 62.8% in Stage-II while 51.38% in Stage-III and 29.82% in Stage-IV. The OS was 82.6% in Stage-I, 71.9% in Stage-II, 65.19% in Stage-III and 42.1% in Stage-IV. The difference between early and advanced disease is statistically significant with p-value of 0.016. Conclusions: EBRT and ICRT is effective treatment in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival. Associated radiation induced rectal and bladder toxicities are acceptable & manageable. Early stage and overall treatment time are favorable prognostic factors for 3 year DFS & OS.