Radiotherapy for Postsurgical Vaginal Recurrences of Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Analysis of Dosing and Prognosis

Background: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of salvage radiotherapy for vaginal recurrence of cervical squamous carcinoma in patients who previously underwent surgery and to explore prognostic factors (particularly dose-related) associated with survival post-recurrence. Methods: : Ninety-seven patients with histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma-subtype cervical cancer who were treated for vaginal recurrence at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between July 2011 and November 2019 were identified. All patients had previously undergone surgery for the primary tumor and received salvage external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, or both. Factors predictive of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and local control (LC) were investigated, as were adverse effects. Results: : The median follow-up time was 42.5 months. The estimated 5-year OS, PFS, and LC rates were 84%, 79%, and 91%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, a tumor size ≤4 cm and an endovaginal recurrence pattern were associated with longer PFS (both P < 0.05); however, only the latter was predictive of a longer LC ( P < 0.05). In the 33 patients with recurrences that were paravaginal or invasive of surrounding organs, biologically equivalent doses in 2 Gy fractions of ≥70 Gy were independently predictive of longer LC ( P < 0.05). Finally, 12.4% of the patients experienced grades ≥2 late complications; only 1 patient who received EBRT alone experienced grade 5 late complications. Conclusions: : RT is an effective treatment for post-surgical vaginal recurrence in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma. For patients with extravaginal recurrence, a salvage dose of ≥70 Gy appears to be optimal.