Image Guided Intensity Modulated External Beam Radiochemotherapy and MRI Based Adaptive BRAchytherapy in Locally Advanced CErvical Cancer
The research group on adaptive image-guided radiotherapy for locally advanced cervical carcinoma completed the protocol for the EMBRACE II study in October 2018. This study will be carried out in the next few years at the University Clinic for Radiotherapy at the Medical University of Vienna and other international partner institutes. EMBRACE II builds on the findings of the current EMBRACE study. These are already implemented in everyday clinical practice in order to further improve the accuracy of the entire therapy of cervical carcinomas, using state-of-the-art techniques of tele- and brachytherapy. The aim of the EMBRACE II study is to maintain and enhance the excellent local tumor control as well as the nodal and systemic control for all tumor stages while minimizing the adverse reaction rates for all affected organs (rectum, sigmoid, urinary bladder, and vagina) to increase the quality of life of patients with cervical carcinomas.
• Cancer of the uterine cervix considered suitable for curative treatment with definitive radio-(chemo)therapy including MRI guided BT
• Positive biopsy showing squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or adeno-squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.
• Staging according to FIGO and TNM guidelines
• MRI of pelvis at diagnosis is performed
• MRI, CT or PET-CT of the retroperitoneal space and abdomen at diagnosis is performed
• MRI with the applicator in place at the time of (first) BT will be performed
• Para-aortic metastatic nodes below L1-L2 are allowed
• Patient informed consent