Efficacy of preoperative intracavitary brachytherapy and surgery in patients with stage ⅠB2 and ⅡA bulky cervical cancer

Objective To analyze the outcomes of preoperative intracavitary brachytherapy plus sur-gery in patients with stage ⅠB2 and ⅡA bulky cervical cancer. Methods From January 2001 to January 2007, 77 patients with stage ⅠB2 and ⅡA bulky cervical cancer were included. The diameter of primary tumor was greater than 4 cm. Preoperative intracavitary brachytherapy with the total dose of 20-30 Gy (0.5 cm below the vaginal mucosa) was delivered by 2-3 fractions, one fraction per week. After an interval of 10-14 days, the efficacies of radiotherapy were evaluated and radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphade-nectomy was performed. Then the treatment complications, clinicopathological characteristics, survival and recurrence were analyzed. Results The tumor shrinkage was observed in all the patients after intracavitary brachytherapy. The CR, PR and SD were 5% (4/77), 36% (28/77) and 58% (45/77), respectively. Radical hysterectomy was successfully performed in all patients. The complications of the combined therapy were mild and only 5 patients had grade Ⅱ or less hematological or gastrointestinal toxicities. The 5-year o-verall survival rate and pelvic recurrence rate were 83% and 12%, respectively. Conclusions Preoperative intracavitary brachytherapy of 20-30 Gy plus surgery is effective in the treatment of stage ⅠB2 and ⅡA bulky cervical cancer without increasing the treatment complications.