Prophylactic irradiation of para-aortic lymph nodes in carcinoma of the uterine cervix. A prospective randomized study

Abstract

Purpose: For assessment of the advantages and side effects of para-aortic lymph nodes irradiation under the evaluation by computer tomography, a prospective randomized study was started in 1986. The results for survival, local control and late complications are presented in the following.

Patients and methods: From November 1986 to October 1990, 93 patients with cervical carcinoma were randomly allocated for treatment with either pelvic irradiation (pelvic group) or pelvic plus para-aortic lymph nodes irradiation (para-aortic group). Thirty-six patients underwent external irradiation and intracavitary therapy (RT arm) and 57 patients, extended radical hysterectomy and external irradiation (OP-RT arm). Para-aortic lymph nodes irradiation delivered 45 Gy in 1.8 Gy per day for 5 days per week through anterior-posterior fields.

Results: The 3-year cause specific survival rates were para-aortic group: 57% and pelvic group: 89% in RT arm group, and para-aortic group: 70% and pelvic group: 86% in OP-RT arm group. Differences for the 2 groups in each treatment arm were not significant. In pelvic failure, para-aortic lymph nodes metastases and distant metastases showed no statistically significant differences for the 2 groups in each treatment arm. In the para-aortic group, complications were more frequent than in the pelvic group (13/45 vs. 2/48, p < 0.025). As an enteric complication ileus was found in 7% (3/45) of the para-aortic group while 2% (1/48) in the pelvic group. Compression fractures of the lumber vertebral body were apparent in 9% (4/45) and 0%, respectively.

Conclusion: Routine para-aortic lymph nodes irradiation delivered through anterior-posterior fields for high risk patients with cervical carcinoma is of limited value occurring to the high incidence of late complications and this treatment fails to improve no survival rates.