HYPOfractionated Whole Pelvic Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Cervical Cancer (HYPOCx Trial): A Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether hypofractionated whole pelvic or extended-field concurrent chemoradiotherapy can improve treatment access and efficiency while potentially providing superior oncologic efficacy and safety compared to conventional chemoradiotherapy in patients with early-stage node-positive and locally advanced cervical cancer. Building on encouraging safety and efficacy outcomes from our Phase II HYPOCx-iRex trial (TCTR20210812003), this study will provide data for a critical evidence gap regarding the safety, feasibility, and oncologic efficacy of hypofractionated radiotherapy, including extended-field para-aortic treatment, delivered with concurrent chemotherapy. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does hypofractionated chemoradiotherapy achieve superior nodal control compared to conventional chemoradiotherapy? * Does hypofractionated chemoradiotherapy achieve superior overall survival compared to conventional chemoradiotherapy? Researchers will compare patients receiving hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy to those receiving conventional fractionation to evaluate if the shortened hypofractionated schedule provides comparable disease control, acceptable toxicity, improved quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. Participants will: * Be randomized to receive either hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy or conventional fractionation radiotherapy, both delivered using modern IMRT/VMAT techniques targeting either the whole pelvis or extended fields (including para-aortic lymph nodes). * Receive concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy during external beam radiation. * Complete image-guided adaptive brachytherapy following external beam radiotherapy. * Attend scheduled follow-up visits to evaluate tumor response, disease control, treatment-related toxicities, quality of life, and survival outcomes.
• Cancer of the uterine cervix considered suitable for curative treatment with definitive radio-(chemo)therapy including imaged-guided BT
• Positive biopsy showing squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adeno-squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix
• Locally advanced staging according to FIGO 2018 and TNM guidelines (Stage IA1-IVA)
• MRI of the 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
• GFR ≥ 50 mL/min
• Patient informed consent