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.
Authors
- Anirut Watcharawipha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4676-8480)
- Razvan Galalae
- Wannapha Nobnop (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5266-2845)
- Wimrak Onchan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5174-4403)
- Pitchayaponne Klunklin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4791-6940)
- Pooriwat Muangwong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3366-6146)
- Bongkot Jia-Mahasap (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7018-4843)
- Imjai Chitapanarux (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8552-0149)
- Somvilai Chakrabandhu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9860-2098)
- Piyapasara Toapichattrakul (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0988-8988)
- Ekkasit Tharavichitkul
Institutions
- Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (DE)
- Klinikum Bremerhaven-Reinkenheide (DE)
- Chiang Mai University (TH)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cancers
- Published
- 2026-08-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18172805
- Primary Topic
- Endometrial and Cervical Cancer Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00