A comparative study of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and standard radiation field with concurrent chemotherapy for local advanced cervical cancer

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D CRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) combined with concurrent chemotherapy for cervical cancer.

Materials and methods: A total of 72 patients with Grades IIa-IIIb cervical cancer were randomly divided into two groups, namely, the IMRT group for IMRT plan (primary lesion, 45 Gy/22; the pelvic wall lymphatic drainage area, 50 Gy/22), and the 3D CRT group (conformal pelvic radiotherapy, 45 Gy/22; subsequent supplement of pelvic wall, 6.0 Gy/3). Both groups received concurrent chemotherapy of nedaplatin 30 mg/m2 weekly for six cycles, with an after-loading therapy of 6 Gy/6 each time.

Results: In the IMRT group, the grade III diarrhea rate was 5.6% and the rate in the 3D CRT group was 30.6%; both groups significantly differed. No significant difference was observed between the overall survival and disease-free survival in first, second, and third years in both groups.

Conclusion: Cervical cancer IMRT can significantly reduce the incidence of acute enteritis. For standard 3D CRT, no significant difference was observed in overall survival and disease-free survival.