Primary treatment of endometrial carcinoma with high-dose-rate brachytherapy: Results of 12 years of experience with 280 patients

Purpose : This study aimed to evaluate the efficancy of high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRB) in the primary treatment of endometrial carcinoma. The results of 12 years of experience (1981–1992) covering 280 patients (mean age 72 years) and their follow-up over 10 years (mean 55 months) are reported. Methods and Materials : Staging was based on clinical examination fractionated curettage. Thre were 116 patients in clinical Stage Ia, 119 in Stage Ib, 37 in Stage II, and 8 in Stage III. HDRB was performed four to five times (8.5 Gy) with a one-channel intracavitary applicator and one of two times (7 Gy) with an intravaginal cylinder applicator. Overall and disease-specific survival, local control according to stage and histology, and late side effects were analyzed retrospectively (actuarial method). Results : At 5 years, overall survival, disease-specific survival, and local control were 52.7%, 76.6%, and 75.4% (Stage Ia: 63.9%, 84.9%, and 86.0%; Stage Ib: 47.3%, 73.3%, and 68.8%; and Stage II: 40.2%, 68.6%, and 60.5%) according to histopathologic Grade 1: 65.1%, 83.5%, and 77.7%; for Grade 2: 44.7%, 75.4%, and 75.8%; and for Grade 3: 37.7%, 63.9%, and 74.1%. Eight patients showed progressive disease, 64 developed recurrence after a median of 13 months (45 of whom had a local recurrence only, and 6 of whom had a local recurrence with distant metastases), 6 developed a lymph node recurrence only, and 7 developed distant metastases only. The calculated probability for developing a Grade III late side effect was 5.2% at 5 years. Conclusion : At Stages Ia, Ib, and II in endometrial carcinoma, HDRB is a very effective treatment modality with acceptable local control rates and disease-specific survival for patients who are not fit for surgery. During the time frame of 12 years and in 280 patients the method has proven to have a low risk of acute complications and an acceptable risk of long-term side effects.