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Purpose. To investigate the impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-morphologic differences in parametrial infiltration on tumour response during primary radiochemotherapy in cervical cancer. Material and methods. Eighty-five consecutive cervical cancer patients with FIGO stages IIB (n = 59) and IIIB (n = 26), treated by external beam radiotherapy (± chemotherapy) and image-guided adaptive brachytherapy, underwent T2-weighted MRI at the time of diagnosis and at the time of brachytherapy. MRI patterns of parametrial tumour infiltration at the time of diagnosis were assessed with regard to predominant morphology and maximum extent of parametrial tumour infiltration and were stratified into five tumour groups (TG): 1) expansive with spiculae; 2) expansive with spiculae and infiltrating parts; 3) infiltrative into the inner third of the parametrial space (PM); 4) infiltrative into the middle third of the PM; and 5) infiltrative into the outer third of the PM. MRI at the time of brachytherapy was used for identifying presence (residual vs. no residual disease) and signal intensity (high vs. intermediate) of residual disease within the PM. Left and right PM of each patient were evaluated separately at both time points. The impact of the TG on tumour remission status within the PM was analysed using χ2-test and logistic regression analysis. Results. In total, 170 PM were analysed. The TG 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 were present in 12%, 11%, 35%, 25% and 12% of the cases, respectively. Five percent of the PM were tumour-free. Residual tumour in the PM was identified in 19%, 68%, 88%, 90% and 85% of the PM for the TG 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. The TG 3-5 had significantly higher rates of residual tumour in the PM in comparison to TG 1 + 2 (88% vs. 43%, p < 0.01). Conclusion. MRI-morphologic features of PM infiltration appear to allow for prediction of tumour response during external beam radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A predominantly infiltrative tumour spread at the time of diagnosis resulted in a significantly higher rate of residual tumour in the PM at the time of brachytherapy in comparison to a predominantly expansive tumour spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Image guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) for cervical cancer, using mainly MRI, is an evolving method, increasingly replacing the 2D approach based on conventional radiography. During the complex 4D chain of this procedure image-assistance is provided for disease assessment, provisional treatment planning (“pre-planning”), applicator placement and reconstruction, as well as for contouring, definitive treatment planning and quality control of dose delivery. With IGABT changes of topography adjacent to the applicator, caused by tumour regression, oedema, organ changes and dilation are identified. Thus, the CTV for IGABT is primarily based on the tumour volume at the time of BT and takes into account both time and spatial domains. IGABT requires systematic concepts for target, OAR, biological modelling, DVH analysis, and dose-volume-adaptation. Methods and Results. This report focuses on the advantages and uncertainties, dose-effect relations and clinical results of the IGABT procedure addressing the current status and future perspectives. Uncertainties during the 4D chain of IGABT are mainly related to target contouring, applicator reconstruction, as well as to inter-fraction, intra-fraction and inter-application variability, as caused by tumour response and organ changes. Different from EBRT where set-up uncertainties are compensated by adding a margin to the CTV, no margins to the lateral and anterior-posterior directions can be used for IGABT. Discussion. By 3D treatment planning for IGABT significant improvement of the DVH parameters is achieved compared to 2D library plans. In small tumours the benefit is primarily obtained by a decrease of dose to nearby OAR while in large tumours the use of supplementary interstitial techniques and optimization may double the target volume that can be treated at a therapeutic dose level. The clinical impact of IGABT could recently be demonstrated by the establishment of some correlations between target- and organ-related DVH parameters versus disease control and side effects, which need further clarification. Overall, a very high local control rate can be achieved with minor treatment related morbidity. This favourable therapeutic ratio seems to be now reproducible under different conditions at various treatment centres. These results have to be validated within the upcoming multi-centre prospective IntErnational study on MRI-guided brachytherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer (EMBRACE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and patient reported symptoms (PRS) before, during and early after treatment with external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT), chemotherapy and image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) for locally advanced cervical cancer. Method: In fifty consecutive patients, HR-QoL and PRS were prospectively assessed with the EORTC-QLQ-C30+CX24 questionnaire prior to and during treatment, one week after IGABT and three months thereafter. HR-QoL was compared to an age-matched, female normative reference population. Prevalence rates of individual PRS are presented and defined as "substantial", if reported as "quite a bit" or "very much". Result: Global health status and physical and role functioning show a highly significant decline during treatment (p≤0.001), before returning to near the baseline levels three months after end of treatment. Compared to the reference population, the global health status and emotional and role functioning remain impaired. The most frequently reported substantial PRS during active treatment are: fatigue (78%), diarrhea (68%), urinary frequency (60%) and nausea (54%); these recover to some degree three months after end of treatment. However, fatigue remains increased (50%) and an onset of hot flashes (44%), sexual worries (38%) and limb edema (22%) is observed. Conclusions: Several impairments in HR-QoL and PRS were found during definitive radio(chemo)therapy with IGABT, with different patterns of progress over time and signs of recovery three months thereafter, although some aspects of functional HR-QoL remain impaired. These findings support a comprehensive patients' counseling on what to expect and how to organize professional, social and family life and plan additional support during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]