Radiotherapy for postoperative vaginal recurrences of cervical squamous cell carcinoma: analysis of dosing and prognosis
Creators: name: Zheng, Ziye
name: Hu, Ke
name: Hou, Xiaorong
name: Yu, Lihua
name: Yan, Junfang
name: Zhang, Fuquan
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Mathematical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Cancer
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: FOS: Health sciences

description: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type of vaginal recurrence in cervical cancer patients, and the role of salvage radiotherapy on these patients remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of salvage radiotherapy for vaginal recurrence of SCC in patients who previously underwent surgery and to explore prognostic factors associated with survival. Ninety-seven patients with histologically proven SCC who were treated for vaginal recurrence at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were identified. All patients had previously undergone surgery and received salvage radiotherapy. Factors predictive of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and local control (LC) were investigated. The median follow-up time was 42.5 months. The estimated 5-year OS, PFS, and LC rates were 84%, 79%, and 91%. On multivariate analysis, inguinal lymph node metastasis was significantly associated with poor OS; a tumour size ≤4 cm was associated with longer PFS (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05); the recurrence pattern was an independent predictor of LC (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). In the 45 patients with recurrences that were paravaginal or invasive of surrounding organs, biologically equivalent doses in 2 Gy fractions of ≥72.6 Gy were independently predictive of longer LC (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). RT is an effective treatment for postoperative vaginal recurrence in patients with cervical SCC. For patients with extravaginal recurrence, a salvage dose of ≥72.6 Gy appears to be optimal.Impact statement<b>What is already known on this subject?</b> Radiotherapy plays a critical role in treating recurrent cervical cancer, but the effectiveness of RT for vaginal recurrence in patients who previously underwent surgery remains limited. Few studies have focussed on the effect of RT dose on patient survival.<b>What do the results of this study add?</b> This study investigated the efficacy of RT in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma who experienced postoperative recurrence. Lymph node metastasis, tumour size and recurrence pattern were significantly associated with survival. Moreover, an EQD2 ≥ 72.6 Gy was independently predictive of longer LC.<b>What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research?</b> RT is an effective treatment for postoperative vaginal recurrence in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma. For patients with extravaginal recurrence, a salvage dose of ≥72.6 Gy appears to be optimal. <b>What is already known on this subject?</b> Radiotherapy plays a critical role in treating recurrent cervical cancer, but the effectiveness of RT for vaginal recurrence in patients who previously underwent surgery remains limited. Few studies have focussed on the effect of RT dose on patient survival. <b>What do the results of this study add?</b> This study investigated the efficacy of RT in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma who experienced postoperative recurrence. Lymph node metastasis, tumour size and recurrence pattern were significantly associated with survival. Moreover, an EQD2 ≥ 72.6 Gy was independently predictive of longer LC. <b>What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research?</b> RT is an effective treatment for postoperative vaginal recurrence in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma. For patients with extravaginal recurrence, a salvage dose of ≥72.6 Gy appears to be optimal.