Cervical Cancer in Ethiopia: The Effect of Adherence to Radiotherapy on Survival.

CONCLUSION: Patients who adhered to guideline-conforming RT had optimum survival. Better supportive care, brachytherapy to reduce toxicities, socioeconomic support, and additional radiation capacities could contribute to better adherence and survival.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study presents the effect of adherence on survival of 788 patients with cervical cancer receiving external beam radiotherapy without brachytherapy in Ethiopia. Discontinuation of planned radiotherapy according to local guidelines considerably reduced survival for all International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages treated (hazard ratios were 1.3, 3.1, and 7.3 for FIGO stages IIA-IIIA and IIIB-IVA and the palliative approach, respectively). Early toxicity (5% grade 3) should be treated to improve adherence. Economic difficulties and machine breakdown should also be addressed to reduce discontinuation and improve survival.
PMID: 29567823 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: The Oncologist - March 22, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Moelle U, Mathewos A, Aynalem A, Wondemagegnehu T, Yonas B, Begoihn M, Addissie A, Unverzagt S, Jemal A, Thomssen C, Vordermark D, Kantelhardt EJ Tags: Oncologist Source Type: research