Proton Therapy in Extended-field Irradiation for Cervical Cancer
Severe lymphopenia is a common complication of extended-field radiotherapy in cervical cancer, significantly impacting immune function and clinical outcomes. This study aims to evaluate whether proton therapy, with its superior dose distribution, can reduce lymphopenia and improve survival and toxicity profiles compared to photon therapy.
• Histologically confirmed cervical cancer, stage ≥ IIIC.
• Age between 20 and 85 years.
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-1.
• Eligible for extended-field radiotherapy as determined by the treating physician.
• Induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin is allowed if the duration is ≤ 6 weeks or ≤ 2 cycles.
• RT alone, or concurrent single-agent chemotherapy with weekly cisplatin or carboplatin during radiation therapy is allowed, while the use of any other concurrent antineoplastic agents is prohibited.
• Consolidative chemotherapy or immunotherapy after radiation therapy is allowed.