Major adverse events and prognostic factors in elderly patients with cervical cancer undergoing intensive-modulated radiotherapy combined with intravaginal brachytherapy

Objective To investigate the adverse effects and clinical efficacy of the intensive modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)and intravaginal brachytherapy combined with versus without chemotherapy in elderly patients with cervical cancer, and to analyze its prognostic factors. Methods Clinical data and follow-up results of 214 patients with cervical cancer aged ≥60 years undergoing IMRT and intravaginal brachytherapy combined with or without chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed.The overall survival(OS)rate was calculated by using the Kaplan-Meier method.Prognostic factors were analyzed by Log-rank single factor test and Cox multivariate analysis. Results The rates of myelosuppression(≥grade 3)was higher in the concurrent chemo-radiotherapy group than in simple radiotherapy group(48.6% vs.15.8%, χ2=27.372, P<0.05). The complete response(CR)rate was higher in the concurrent chemo-radiotherapy group than in the simple radiotherapy group(83.0% vs.68.3%, χ2=5.993, P=0.014). The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rate were 92.2%, 79.3% and 65.6%, respectively in all patients.Univariate analysis showed that the staging, lymph node metastasis status, pathological type and short-term efficacy of cervical cancer(based on FIGO guideline)were influencing factors for the prognosis(χ2=4.321-30.316, all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the FIGO staging, lymph node metastasis status and short-term efficacy were independent influencing factors for the prognosis(χ2=5.284-14.261, all P<0.05). Conclusions The intensive modulated radiotherapy and intravaginal brachytherapy combined with chemotherapy have a good efficacy and favorable long-term survival rate for the treatment of cervical cancer in elderly patients, and its major adverse effects can be tolerated.The FIGO staging, lymph node metastasis status and short-term efficacy are independent influencing factors for the prognosis in elderly patients with cervical cancer. Key words: Uterine cervical neoplasms; Radiotherapy; Prognosis