Comparison of dosimetric and clinical outcomes between short- and long-channel cylinder applicators for vaginal brachytherapy in intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer

Michael Z. Kharouta, Nghia Pham, Karina Nieto, Murat Surucu, Michael L. Mysz, Kevin Albuquerque, Abigail Winder, Margaret Liotta, Ronald K. Potkul, William Small, Matthew M. Harkenrider

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) using a cylinder applicator is a standard treatment of intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer. We conducted a retrospective study of the dosimetric and clinical outcomes at our institution with 2 single-channel applicators in patients receiving VBT. Methods and Materials: One hundred thirty-six patients with endometrial cancer treated from 2006 to 2016 receiving VBT after definitive surgery were evaluated. Two cylinders were used with the distal dwell position 7.1–12.8 mm from the apex varying by diameter (short channel), and 3.2 mm from the apex (long channel). We prescribed 18–26 Gy in 3–4 fractions at 0.5 cm depth. Measurements of the distance from the apex to the prescription isodose line were taken from CT imaging. Student's t test and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used with corrections for multiple comparisons. Results: Patients had International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009 Stage I-II disease (70 Stage IA, 58 Stage IB, 9 Stage II). Mean cylinder apex dose was 95.2% and 154.7% of prescription (p < 0.001), and mean distance from apex to the prescription isodose line was 0.54 mm and 3.5 mm (p < 0.001) for the short- and long-channel cylinders, respectively. There were no significant differences in any toxicity between cylinders. Four patients (2.9%) had vaginal recurrence, all of whom were treated with the short-channel cylinder. Cylinder type was not associated with vaginal recurrence (p = 0.27). Conclusions: A cylinder applicator with a distal dwell position closer to the apex results in higher doses to the vaginal cuff and increased D 2cc to the bladder. All four recurrences were in the short-channel cylinder. Additional investigation into applicator design and impact on patient outcomes in larger cohorts with sufficient followup is warranted.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)673-679
Number of pages7
JournalBrachytherapy
Volume17
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2018

Keywords

  • Brachytherapy
  • Cancer
  • Cylinder
  • Endometrial
  • Vaginal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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