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Abstract

Purpose

GOG 205 safely increased clinical (cCR) and pathologic complete response (pCR) in locally-advanced vulvar cancer through dose escalation using three-dimensional radiotherapy (RT). The aim of this study is to assess the response of dose-escalated intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in locally-advanced vulvar cancer.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients treated with dose-escalated (≥ 55Gy) IMRT from 2012 to 2018 for locally-advanced vulvar cancer was performed. Patients treated with preoperative or definitive intent were included. Rates of cCR and pCR were assessed, and predictors of disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed using the Kaplan Meier method with log rank test between groups and a parsimonious multivariate Cox model.

Results

Median dose to the vulva was 66.0 Gy (Interquartile Range [IQR]: 66.0-68.0) for definitive and 59.4 Gy (IQR: 58.0-59.4) for preoperative IMRT. The overall rates of cCR and pCR were 76% and 70%, respectively. DFS at two years was 65% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 50-80%) for all patients, 81% (95% CI 63% - 98%) for definitive IMRT, and 55% (95% CI 35% - 76%) for preoperative IMRT. On multivariate analysis, cCR predicted for disease-free survival (HR 0.21; 95% CI 0.06-0.76; p = 0.02), and pCR predicted for OS (HR 0.12; 95% CI 0.02-0.60; p = 0.01). Grade 3 acute and late RT toxicity was seen in 14 (29%) and 3 (6%) of patients, respectively.

Conclusion

Dose-escalated IMRT for locally-advanced vulvar cancer is well tolerated, with rates of cCR and pCR that compare favorably with published data.

Related Questions

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Radiation Oncology · University of Kentucky

It is tempting to skip elective nodal irradiation in this setting, especially if the radiographic evaluation includes a PET-CT, where the negative predictive value is probably close to 90%. However, if the risk of groin LN involvement is at least 15%, based on primary tumor characteristics such as s...

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Radiation Oncology · Varian Medical Systems/Allegheny health network

We are still doing weekly cisplatinum with a higher dose of RT as there is concern about additional morbidity with the addition of gemzar. Richman et al., PMID 32981696

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Radiation Oncology · Varian Medical Systems/Allegheny health network

I am sure there is wide variation in practice as there is no prospective study to guide care. Our approach is definitive chemo RT with the removal of only residual persistent node. Richman et al., PMID 32981696

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Radiation Oncology · Varian Medical Systems/Allegheny health network

Over time, the approach shifted from administering preoperative doses to delivering more doses in the mid-60s. Biopsies are now conducted at 8-12 weeks for persistent abnormalities to define pCR and persistent disease, thus enabling tailored management (Richman et al., PMID 32981696).Also this abstr...