Gel spacer-assisted salvage brachytherapy for pelvic recurrence after definitive chemoradiotherapy in cervical cancer: A single-institution retrospective study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of gel spacer-assisted high-dose-rate (HDR) salvage brachytherapy for pelvic recurrence after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for cervical cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We retrospectively analyzed 15 consecutive patients who underwent salvage HDR interstitial brachytherapy for pelvic recurrence following definitive CRT for cervical cancer between 2016 and 2024. Gel spacers were injected between the recurrent tumors and adjacent organs at risk (OARs), mainly the rectum and bladder, under transrectal ultrasound guidance at each brachytherapy session. The spacer’s effectiveness was evaluated by comparing the hypothetical dose delivered to the gel spacer volume (assuming no spacer was used) with the actual dose to the OARs.

RESULTS

The median biological equivalent dose in 2-Gy fractions (EQD2, α/β = 10) delivered during reirradiation was 64.0 Gy (range: 44.5–72.0 Gy). After a median follow-up of 22 months (range: 0–93 months), the complete response rate was 66.7% (10/15). Gel spacer injection significantly reduced the rectal D2cc by a median of 29% (interquartile range [IQR]: 14%–55%) and the bladder D2cc by 16% (IQR: 10%–34%) compared with the hypothetical dose estimates assuming no spacer use (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p < 0.001). Grade ≥3 late toxicities occurred in only one patient (10.0%) among complete responders, and no spacer-related adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Gel spacer-assisted salvage brachytherapy significantly reduced radiation exposure to critical OARs, particularly the rectum, while achieving effective tumor control in patients with pelvic recurrence of cervical cancer after definitive CRT. These promising results support this approach as a feasible and safe strategy, warranting further validation in larger prospective studies.