Single-fraction palliative pelvic radiation therapy in gynecologic oncology: 1,000 rads

The management of the patient with advanced gynecologic malignancies presents multiple problems for the gynecologic and radiation oncologists involved in their care. When palliative management only is indicated, conventional treatment protocols occupy a significant portion of the patient's remaining life span, oftentimes with associated morbidity. Single-fraction external radiation therapy, consisting of 1,000 rads to the whole pelvis, was used in 30 patients with advanced gynecologic malignancies to palliate locally advanced pelvic disease. Alleviation of symptoms and maintenance of a reasonable quality of life were obtained in all patients. No untoward acute side effects were observed. Thirteen patients are alive from 2 to 19 months after treatment, with a mean overall survival after treatment of 8.4 months. It is concluded that this regimen should be considered as the palliative therapy of choice for certain patients with advanced gynecologic malignancies.     

Fine-needle-aspiration cytology in gynecologic oncology: “Early detection of occult persistent, or recurrent cancer after radiation therapy”

This study discusses the value of fine-needle-aspiration cytology in the early detection of occult carcinoma in patients treated with radiation therapy for gynecologic malignancies. Fifty-eight patients with normal cervical cytology were evaluated with 77 fine-needle aspirations (FNA) starting as early as 3 months after therapy. The results of FNAs added about 30% predictability to the accuracy of diagnosing carcinoma to that of the conventional methods used today like pelvic examination and radiographic studies. Fine-needle aspiration of the pelvis after radiation therapy is an accurate and safe method to sample the parametria, pelvic sidewalls, and other sites of possible recurrence, and may be used as part of the routine follow-up of these patients.     

Pelvic insufficiency fracture after pelvic irradiation in uterine cervix cancer

OBJECTIVES: Pelvic insufficiency fractures (IF) are well known but uncommon and are frequently misinterpreted sequelae. The clinical features were investigated. METHODS: Four hundred sixty-three patients, who were treated between 1994 and 2000 for uterine cervix cancer, were clinically examined. All patients had been treated with 10 or 15 MV photons, with 50.4-55.8 Gy in 28 fractions with adjuvant intent (n = 235) in addition to high-dose-rate brachytherapy 24 Gy in 6 fractions for curative treatment (n = 228). The median follow-up was 38 months. RESULTS: Eight patients (8/463, 1.7%) developed pelvic IF 7-19 months (median, 12 months) after the treatment. Among these, seven patients (7/228, 3.1%) were treated with curative intent and one (1/235, 0.4%) was treated with adjuvant intent. All patients were postmenopausal and complained of moderate to severe pelvic pain, which resolved after 1-11 months with conservative therapy in all patients. Two of these patients also had radiation proctitis. CONCLUSION: In women who present with pelvic pain after radiotherapy for cervical cancer, bony destruction and fractures may be indicative of a late radiation effect rather than osseous metastasis. IF are more common in the curative treatment group than in the postoperative adjuvant group.     

The combined operative and radiotherapeutic treatment (CORT) of recurrent tumors infiltrating the pelvic wall: first experience with 18 patients.

CORT is a new radiosurgical treatment concept for patients with recurrent gynecologic malignancies infiltrating the pelvic wall. The operative part consists of (i) staging laparotomy; (ii) maximum debulking of the tumor from the pelvic wall and exenteration of infiltrated central pelvic organs; (iii) implantation of brachytherapy guiding tubes on the residual tumor/tumor bed at the pelvic wall; (iv) pelvic wall plasty with muscle and omentum flaps to create a protective distance between the tubes and the pelvic hollow organs and to induce therapeutic angiogenesis; and (v) surgical reconstruction of bowel, bladder, and vulvoperineovaginal functions. Radiation is given postoperatively as fractionated HDR brachytherapy via the implanted tubes. Patients without prior pelvic radiation also receive preoperative whole pelvis teletherapy. Eighteen patients with recurrent malignancies infiltrating one pelvic wall have been treated with CORT in a prospective phase I/II trial at the University of Mainz. Fourteen patients had a history of radiation therapy with midpelvic doses of 40-100 Gy (median, 65 Gy) as primary treatment. Eleven patients (61%) are without evidence of disease at 6-32 months (median, 15 months) follow-up. Four patients have died from pelvic progression and distant metastases, and two patients are alive with disease after 12 months. There was no operative mortality; however, one patient succumbed from fatal thromboembolism 6 months after therapy. Three patients with prior radiation of greater than 75 Gy had to be treated for intestinal fistulas. We conclude that CORT is feasible with encouraging preliminary results.     

Resection of bulky positive lymph nodes in patients with cervical carcinoma

From January 1987 to April 1992, 34 patients had resection of bulky positive lymph nodes, detected either at the time of radical hysterectomy ( n = 23) or by computed tomographic (CT) scan of the pelvis and abdomen prior to radiation therapy for more advanced cervical cancer ( n = 11). Following nodal resection, 33 patients received pelvic external beam radiation, 28 received pelvic and para-aortic radiation, and 23 received four cycles of cisplatin chemotherapy. The median number of resected positive nodes was 4, with a range of 1–44. All macroscopic nodal metastases could be resected in each patient and morbidity was acceptably low. Positive nodes were confined to the pelvis in 17 patients, involved the common iliac group in nine patients, and involved the para-aortic area in eight patients. With a mean follow-up of 36 months, 23 patients (67.6%) were alive, of whom 20 were free of disease. For patients having a radical hysterectomy, actuarial 5-year survival was 80% for patients with disease involving pelvic and common iliac lymph nodes, and 48% for those with positive para-aortic nodes. Survival for patients with completely resected bulky pelvic and common iliac nodes was comparable to that for patients with micrometastases. This study suggests that every effort should be made to identify patients with cervical cancer who have bulky positive lymph node metastases, and to remove these nodes surgically prior to radiation therapy.     

Complications of pelvic radiation therapy for gynecologic malignancies in elderly women

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and severity of complications following pelvic irradiation in elderly women with gynecologic malignancies. A retrospective analysis was conducted of the 60 women over 65 years of age treated with pelvic radiation therapy for cervical (26), endometrial (31) or proximal vaginal (3) cancer at the UCLA Medical Center between 1978 and 1991. Acute grade 3 to 4 gastrointestinal (GI) complications, using Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) criteria occured in three of 60 patients (5%). Chronic complications occured in 28 of 49 patients (57%) followed for longer than 3 months after radiation therapy. The 3-year actuarial rate of chronic GI and/or genitourinary (GU) complications was 63% for any grade and 24% for grades 2,3 or 4. Twelve of the 14 grade 2–4 chronic complications were GI. The 3-year actuarial chronic complication rate was 45% for GI compared to 17% for GU ( P = 0.01). The median time to occurrence for GI and GU chronic complications was 8 and 19 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, two or more pre-existing medical problems ( P = 0.03) and dose of external beam radiation therapy 45 Gy ( P = 0.07) were associated with the development of a chronic complication. We conclude that moderate to severe intestinal complications are common after pelvic irradiation of elderly women, particularly those with two or more pre-existing medical problems. Pelvic radiation therapy should be used judiciously in elderly women.     

The value of CT scanning in the management of patients with gynecologic malignancies

Summary The management of gynecologic malignancies is exceedingly complex, requiring thoughtful coordination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Despite the fact that the natural history and clinical course of these cancers are generally well understood, the scarring caused by surgery and/or radiation, and the marked limitations of pelvic examination make clinical staging and evaluation of limited value and known inaccuracy in following women with ovarian, cervical, uterine, vulvar and vaginal cancers. Understandably, the development of computerized axial tomography (CT), and its ability to visualize the abdomen and pelvis, lead to rapid acceptance of CT scans in defining extent of cancer and following patient response to various therapeutic interventions (Chen et al. 1980; Feigen et al. 1987; Photopoulos et al. 1977).Authors have compared the accuracy of CT findings with physical examination, surgical findings, lymphography, conventional radiography or ultrasound (Clarke-Pearson et al. 1986; Vercamb et al. 1987; Amendola 1981; Kerr-Wilson et al. 1984). However, little has been written on the effect of CT scanning on patient management. If we define and accept the accuracy of CT scanning in detecting pelvic and abdominal disease, can we show a benefit in patient management? Or, does CT scanning provide us with expensive information, or misinformation, which fails to translate into better patient care. Do complex imaging modalities compliment thorough examination and experienced clinical judgement, or only duplicate findings and provide extraneous information? To answer these questions, eighty-one months experience in using CT scanning in managing patients with gynecologic malignancies was reviewed.     

Use of an ureteroileocecal appendicostomy urinary reservoir in patients with recurrent pelvic malignancies treated with radiation

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of a modified right colon urinary reservoir in a heavily radiated patient population undergoing pelvic exenteration. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients with recurrent gynecologic, colorectal, and urological tumors who underwent total pelvic or anterior exenteration and urinary diversion from 3/01 to 7/03 using an ureteroileocecal appendicostomy urinary reservoir. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were identified over the study interval. The mean age of the patients was 53 years (range, 22-78 years). All patients received external beam, intracavitary, or a combination of both radiation treatment modalities to the pelvis preoperatively. Eight patients received intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) at a mean dose of 16.25 Gy (range, 12.5-17.5 Gy). The primary sites of disease were as follows: cervix, five; prostate, three; uterus, two; colon/rectum two; and one each for vulva and bladder. Complete stomal continence was achieved in all patients after a median follow-up of 10 months (range, 2-31 months). Two patients experienced a traumatic disruption of the stomal-skin anastomosis in the early postoperative period (postoperative days 7 and 14). One late complication related to the ureterointestinal anastomosis was observed and consisted of an anastomotic stricture managed conservatively. One patient experienced an entero-pouch fistula following re-exploration for an acute postoperative hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: The early outcomes using the ureteroileocecal appendicostomy urinary reservoir in heavily radiated patients demonstrate the technical feasibility of this design as both minimal early stoma and ureterointestinal complications may occur. Longer postoperative follow-up will be required to address the late outcomes of this procedure and its ultimate use in this population.     

Intraoperative radiation therapy in the treatment of pelvic gynecologic malignancies: a review of fifteen cases

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review the experience with intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) in the treatment of gynecologic pelvic malignancies at the Massachusetts General Hospital. METHODS: From July 3, 1996, through July 28, 1999, 15 patients were treated with IORT for gynecologic malignancies in a dedicated IORT operating room suite at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Hospital medical records, radiation oncology records, and office charts were reviewed on all patients treated with IORT. IORT was given in the presence of positive surgical margins and where the doses needed for adjuvant postoperative external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) would exceed those tolerated by normal structures. One patient presented with primary disease and 14 with local or regional recurrence. Follow-up time ranged from 3 to 36 months. RESULTS: Treatment in conjunction with IORT included surgery only (7 patients); preoperative EBRT, preoperative brachytherapy, and surgery (1 patient); preoperative chemotherapy and surgery (2 patients); and surgery and postoperative chemotherapy (5 patients). IORT doses ranged from 10 to 22.5 Gy. At the completion of this review, 4 patients (26.6%) have died, 6 (40%) are alive and free of disease, and 5 (33%) are alive with disease persistence or relapse. Of the 10 patients with gross total resection, 5 are alive and free of disease. Of the 5 women with gross residual disease at the time of IORT, only 1 is alive and free of disease. CONCLUSIONS: The volume of residual disease prior to IORT may be an important prognostic indicator for disease relapse. Both local recurrence and distant metastasis were more common among patients with gross residual disease at the time of IORT. Our institutional experience with IORT further supports the importance of optimal surgical resection.     

Measurement of sacroiliac joint stiffness in peripartum pelvic pain patients with Doppler imaging of vibrations (DIV).

OBJECTIVES: The research question of the present study was: are sacroiliac joint stiffness levels of peripartum pelvic pain patients different from those of healthy subjects? STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional comparative sacroiliac joint stiffness analysis of peripartum pelvic pain patients with healthy subjects. In previous studies we introduced a new technique, Doppler imaging of vibrations (DIV), to assess sacroiliac joint stiffness using colour Doppler imaging and vibrations. The measurements were performed on a group of peripartum pelvic pain patients (n=56) and on a control group (n=52). The differences in sacroiliac joint stiffness between the patient group and the control group were tested statistically by means of the Wilcoxon's two sample test, the chi-square test and Student's t-tests. RESULTS: Both patients and controls displayed stiff as well as unstiff joints with no significant difference. There was a significant difference between the groups with regard to the relative difference of sacroiliac joint stiffness between left and right. CONCLUSIONS: A diagnostic tool which can possibly be developed in the future could demonstrate an objective finding among women with peripartum pelvic pain. DIV is easy to apply and non-invasive. Asymmetric stiffness of the sacroiliac joints seems to be more directly related to low back pain and pelvic pain, not the stiffness level of a single sacroiliac joint.     

Asymmetries in pelvic lymph nodes and their metastatic involvement by gynecologic cancer cells

AIM: The aims of this study were to re-examine left-right asymmetry in pelvic lymph node distribution in patients with gynecologic malignancies, and to investigate if there is a left-right asymmetry in pelvic lymph node metastatic involvement by gynecologic cancer cells. METHODS: The oncologic database of our gynecologic department was reviewed to identify patients who had pelvic lymphadenectomy as part of treatment for a variety of gynecologic malignancies. Right and left lymph node counts with and without involvement of cancer cells were retrieved from the pathological reports. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirteen patients were included in the study. The numbers of external iliac, and hypogastric + obturator lymph nodes were higher on the right side than on the left in all gynecologic malignancies. The numbers of involved external iliac, and hypogastric + obturator lymph nodes by metastatic cancer cells were significantly higher on the right side than on the left in all gynecologic malignancies. CONCLUSION: The results suggest the existence of a left-right asymmetry in pelvic lymph node distribution and pelvic lymph node distribution involved by gynecologic cancer cells. This situation may be due to the asymmetry in the number of pelvic lymph nodes. In addition, stronger cell-mediated immune activity in the left side of humans may be associated with the blocking of metastatic invasion of cancer cells from gynecologic malignancies in the left side of the body.     

An integrated therapy for peripartum pelvic instability: a study of the biomechanical effects of pelvic belts.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of pelvic belts on the stability of the pelvis and to discuss the treatment of peripartum pelvic instability. STUDY DESIGN: In six human pelvis-spine preparations, sagittal rotation in the sacroiliac joints was induced by bidirectional forces directed at the acetabula. Weight-bearing was mimicked by the application of a compressive force to the spine. The biomechanical effect of a pelvic belt was measured in 12 sacroiliac joints. RESULTS: The pelvic belt caused a significant decrease in the sagittal rotation in the sacroiliac joints. The effect of a 100 N belt did not differ significantly from that of a 50 N belt. CONCLUSION: The combination of a pelvic belt and muscle training enhances pelvic stability. The load of the belt can be relatively small; location is more important. The risk of symphysiodesis, especially as a result of the insertion of bone grafts, is emphasized.     

Absorbable synthetic mesh (910-polyglactin) intestinal sling to reduce radiation-induced small bowel injury in patients with pelvic malignancies

Absorbable synthetic mesh (910-polyglactin) was used to create an intestinal sling in six patients undergoing surgical staging of pelvic maligancies prior to radiation therapy. All patients had effective compartmentalization of small intestine out of the pelvis which persisted throughout the duration of radiation therapy. None of the patients developed complications related to the intestinal sling. This technique is well tolerated and has the potential to minimize chronic small intestinal complications caused by radiation therapy for pelvic malignancies.     

Pelvic exenterations for gynecological malignancies: twenty-year experience at Roswell Park Cancer Institute

The objective of this study is to review the experience with pelvic exenterations for gynecological malignancies at our cancer institute. Charts of 48 women who underwent a pelvic exenteration between January 1980 and December 1999 were reviewed, and several outcomes were analyzed. Majority of patients had received prior radiation therapy. The median survival was 35 months, and the disease-free survival was 32 months. Mortality from the procedure was 4.2%. Early and late postoperative complication rates were 27% and 75%, respectively. Recurrence rate was 60%. Eight patients received intraoperative radiation. Median survival in this group was 11.3 vs 35 months (P = 0.003). Univariate analysis failed to show an association between type of pelvic exenteration, type of fecal and urinary diversion, outcome, need for reoperation, and recurrence. Contemporary pelvic exenterations are associated with a low mortality and a potential for long-term survival in a subset of patients who historically have been given a poor prognosis. In patients with recurrent gynecological cancer confined centrally to the pelvis, pelvic exenteration still remains the choice of therapy as response to chemotherapy to a centrally recurrent tumor in radiated area continues to be poor. Intraoperative radiation in select few patients needs to be further studied.     

External pelvic radiation therapy in stage IC endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes of patients with stage IC endometrial carcinoma treated with external whole pelvic radiation but not vaginal brachytherapy. METHODS: Sixty-one women with stage IC endometrial carcinoma had postoperative pelvic radiation without vaginal brachytherapy. The median age was 69 years (range 44-87 years). Most subjects had histologic findings of adenocarcinoma (71%) and grade 2 or 3 disease (74%). The median pelvic irradiation dose was 48.6 Gy (range 43.2-50.4 Gy). No patients received adjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. The median follow-up time was 69.5 months (range 7-196 months). RESULTS: The 5-year actuarial disease-free and overall survivals of the entire group were 86.7% and 97.6%, respectively. No patient developed local (vaginal) recurrence. One patient had recurrent disease in the lateral pelvis. Ten patients (16.4%) had distant (extrapelvic) metastases. No serious sequelae were noted, including vaginal necrosis, small bowel obstruction, proctitis, or fistulae. CONCLUSION: Local control was excellent in stage IC endometrial carcinoma treated with adjuvant radiation therapy alone. Attention needs to be focused on efforts to control extrapelvic recurrence in patients with this disease.     

Validation of referral guidelines for women with pelvic masses

OBJECTIVE: Guidelines for referring women with pelvic masses suspicious for ovarian cancers to gynecologic oncologists have been published jointly by Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). They are based on patient age, CA 125 level, physical findings, imaging study results, and family history. Although the guidelines are evidence-based, their predictive value in distinguishing cancers from benign masses is unknown. METHODS: Chart review for factors included in the guidelines of surgically evaluated women with pelvic masses at 7 tertiary care centers during a 12-month interval was performed. This information was used to estimate the predictive values of the SGO and ACOG guidelines in identifying patients with malignant pelvic masses. RESULTS: A total of 1,035 patients were identified, including 318 (30.7%) with primary malignancies of the ovary, fallopian tube, or peritoneum. Seventy-seven were younger than 50 years old (premenopausal group), and 240 were 50 years old or older (postmenopausal group). Fifty additional patients (4.8%) had cancers metastatic to the ovaries, and the remaining 667 (64.4%) had benign masses. The referral guidelines captured 70% of the ovarian cancers in the premenopausal group and 94% of the ovarian cancers in the postmenopausal group. The positive predictive value was 33.8% for the premenopausal group and 59.5% for the postmenopausal group, whereas the negative predictive values were more than 90% for both groups. Elevated CA 125 level was the single best predictor of malignancy in both groups. CONCLUSION: The SGO and ACOG referral guidelines effectively separate women with pelvic masses into 2 risk categories for malignancy. This distinction permits a rational approach for referring high-risk patients to a gynecologic oncologist for management.     

HIV-associated primary cervical non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and two other cases of primary pelvic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

BACKGROUND: Although there have been few case series of primary pelvic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) reported over the past two decades, no patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related primary pelvic NHL has been reported. CASE: We report a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient with primary cervical NHL. After surgical biopsy, she received standard NHL combination chemotherapy plus standard HIV highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and remains disease free 38 months since therapy. We also report two other cases of primary pelvic NHL. CONCLUSIONS: Primary pelvic NHL is rare, with clinical presentation similar to other common gynecologic malignancies. It is treated with combination chemotherapy and pelvic radiotherapy, and generally has good prognosis. Adding HAART to other standard therapies for patients with AIDS-related pelvic lymphoma may improve the prognosis of this category of patients.     

The use of MRI in the diagnosis and management of a bulky cervical carcinoma

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of gynecologic cancer, surgical planning depends on the site and extent of disease. The evaluation of the origin of a large pelvic mass with combined pelvic examination and ultrasound is often adequate. However, the following case report illustrates the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when sonographic findings are indeterminate and the origin of a pelvic mass is unclear. CASE: A 73-year-old woman presented for her first gynecologic exam in over 40 years. On speculum examination the cervix was not visible. A large, mobile pelvic mass was palpated during physical examination. Pelvic ultrasound revealed a large, cystic pelvic mass thought to be ovarian in origin. Surgery for presumed ovarian carcinoma was planned. Because a vaginal Pap smear revealed squamous-cell carcinoma, MRI was performed for further evaluation. MRI demonstrated a blood distended uterus with a large cervical tumor obstructing the endocervical os. After cervical dilatation under sonographic guidance, evacuation of the hematometrium was performed. Multiple biopsies of the cervix confirmed the diagnosis of a bulky Stage IIA squamous-cell carcinoma of the cervix. The patient was subsequently treated with concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Follow-up MRI demonstrated an excellent treatment response. Modified radical hysterectomy was performed demonstrating very small residual tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging, through multiplanar capabilities and high-contrast resolution, is a valuable tool that can assist the clinician in the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of challenging gynecologic malignancies.     

Uterine leiomyosarcoma--magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) scanning shows great promise as an imaging tool to evaluate the pelvis as a result of contrast resolution and lack of ionizing radiation. For these reasons, it is assuming an important role in staging gynecologic neoplasms, and evaluating diseases in the gravid pelvis. A case of uterine leiomyosarcoma is presented in which MR imaging was able to delineate the extent and tissue characteristics of the lesion more precisely than CT scan.     

Concurrent radiation and chemotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix recurrent after radical surgery

Results of salvage therapy in patients with carcinoma of the cervix, recurrent after primary surgery, have been dismal even when disease was apparently confined to the pelvis. Further surgery or radiation therapy cured only some with central pelvic disease alone who had recurred at intervals longer than 6 months after primary therapy. To try to improve the results of salvage therapy, we used a combination of concurrent chemotherapy, 5-Fluorouracil with or without Mitomycin-C, and radiation therapy. Seventeen patients were treated. Recurrent disease was present in the pelvis or pelvis and paraaortic nodes after radical surgery for Stage IB carcinoma of the cervix. Eight of seventeen (47%) are alive, disease-free, 21 to 58 months after therapy. Seven of the eight had biopsy proven recurrence. Five of eight had recurred within 9 months of primary surgery and 7/8 had a component of pelvic side wall disease. Thus the survivors had unfavorable prognostic features. Nevertheless, the use of concurrent radiation and chemotherapy produced an exceptionally high proportion of sustained complete remissions and possible cures.