A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Toxicities of Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Vs Conventional Radiotherapy in Advanced Carcinoma Cervix

Abstract

Background: In Bangladesh, cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers. The current study was conducted to compare the short term effectiveness and acute toxicities of hypofractionated radiotherapy (45 Gy in 18 fractions) with conventional fractionated radiotherapy (50 Gy in 25 fractions) in EBRT in inoperable locally advanced cervical cancer. Methods: It was a quasi-experimental study conducted in the department of Radiation Oncology of National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Sixty patients of locally advanced carcinoma of cervix were included in the study. They were enrolled in either arm A or arm B to receive 45 Gy in 18 fractions or 50 Gy 25 fractions respectively. Results: The mean age of the arm A patients was 56.53 (SD ± 8.61) years and that of the arm B patients was 52.97 (SD ± 9.62) years. Various symptoms including abnormal bleeding, unusual discharge from cervix, pelvic pain and weight loss were compared between two groups before and after giving hypofractionated radiotherapy. No statistically significant differences were noted between arms in case of urinary and skin toxicities. Conclusion: In resource challenged setting where radiotherapy treatment facilities are limited this hypofractionated therapy could be a reasonable choice.