Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors Following Routine CT-Based Image-Guided Adaptive Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background/Objectives: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) is the preferred standard for cervical cancer, but access remains limited in many settings. Computed tomography (CT)-based IGABT provides a practical alternative. We evaluated clinical outcomes and prognostic factors following its routine implementation. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2018 stage I–IVA cervical carcinoma treated with definitive radiotherapy incorporating CT-based IGABT from January 2019 to December 2021. Patients received pelvic external beam radiotherapy (45–50.4 Gy in 23–28 fractions), with or without concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy, followed by four high-dose-rate brachytherapy fractions. Local control and overall survival were estimated using Kaplan–Meier analysis, and prognostic factors were evaluated using Cox regression. Results: Among 237 patients, 56.9% had FIGO stage III–IV disease, and hybrid intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy was used in 30.2% of fractions. The mean high-risk clinical target volume D90 (HR-CTV D90) was 85.4 ± 2.7 Gy EQD2. Median follow-up was 59.9 months for local control and 71.1 months for overall survival. The 5-year local control and overall survival rates were 84.4% (95% CI, 79.1–88.5%) and 62.9% (95% CI, 56.3–68.8%), respectively. Squamous histology was independently associated with improved local control and overall survival. HR-CTV D90 ≥ 85 Gy EQD2 was associated with improved local control, whereas ≥4 chemotherapy cycles and overall treatment time ≤ 56 days were associated with improved overall survival. Conclusions: Routine CT-based IGABT achieved clinically meaningful outcomes despite the high proportion of advanced-stage disease. Achieving HR-CTV D90 ≥ 85 Gy EQD2, delivering ≥4 chemotherapy cycles, and completing treatment within 56 days were associated with improved outcomes.

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Journal
Cancers
Published
2026-08-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18172805
Primary Topic
Endometrial and Cervical Cancer Treatments
Type
article
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article

Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors Following Routine CT-Based Image-Guided Adaptive Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Anirut Watcharawipha, Razvan Galalae, Wannapha Nobnop, Wimrak Onchan et al.
Cancers
Endometrial and Cervical Cancer Treatments
article

Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors Following Routine CT-Based Image-Guided Adaptive Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Anirut Watcharawipha, Razvan Galalae, Wannapha Nobnop, Wimrak Onchan, Pitchayaponne Klunklin, Pooriwat Muangwong, Bongkot Jia-Mahasap, Imjai Chitapanarux, Somvilai Chakrabandhu, Piyapasara Toapichattrakul, Ekkasit Tharavichitkul
article en

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) is the preferred standard for cervical cancer, but access remains limited in many settings. Computed tomography (CT)-based IGABT provides a practical alternative. We evaluated clinical outcomes and prognostic factors following its routine implementation. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2018 stage I–IVA cervical carcinoma treated with definitive radiotherapy incorporating CT-based IGABT from January 2019 to December 2021. Patients received pelvic external beam radiotherapy (45–50.4 Gy in 23–28 fractions), with or without concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy, followed by four high-dose-rate brachytherapy fractions. Local control and overall survival were estimated using Kaplan–Meier analysis, and prognostic factors were evaluated using Cox regression. Results: Among 237 patients, 56.9% had FIGO stage III–IV disease, and hybrid intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy was used in 30.2% of fractions. The mean high-risk clinical target volume D90 (HR-CTV D90) was 85.4 ± 2.7 Gy EQD2. Median follow-up was 59.9 months for local control and 71.1 months for overall survival. The 5-year local control and overall survival rates were 84.4% (95% CI, 79.1–88.5%) and 62.9% (95% CI, 56.3–68.8%), respectively. Squamous histology was independently associated with improved local control and overall survival. HR-CTV D90 ≥ 85 Gy EQD2 was associated with improved local control, whereas ≥4 chemotherapy cycles and overall treatment time ≤ 56 days were associated with improved overall survival. Conclusions: Routine CT-based IGABT achieved clinically meaningful outcomes despite the high proportion of advanced-stage disease. Achieving HR-CTV D90 ≥ 85 Gy EQD2, delivering ≥4 chemotherapy cycles, and completing treatment within 56 days were associated with improved outcomes.

CancersVol. 18(17)
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (DE), Klinikum Bremerhaven-Reinkenheide (DE), Chiang Mai University (TH)
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Endometrial and Cervical Cancer Treatments
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