Severity and Persistency of Late Gastrointestinal Morbidity in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Lessons Learned From EMBRACE-I and Implications for the Future.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate patient- and treatment-related risk factors for physician-assessed and patient-reported gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms after radio(chemo)therapy and image guided adaptive brachytherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Of 1416 patients from the EMBRACE-I study, 1199 and 1002 were prospectively evaluated using physician-assessed (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE]) and patient-reported (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC]) GI symptoms, respectively. CTCAE severe grade (grade [G] ≥3) events were pooled according to the location in the GI tract (anus/rectum, sigmoid, and colon/small bowel). CTCAE G ≥2 and EORTC "very much" and "quite a bit" plus "very much" scores (≥ "quite a bit") were analyzed for individual symptoms with Cox regression. Logistic regression was used for persistent G ≥1 and EORTC ≥ "quite a bit" symptoms, defined if present in at least half of follow-ups. RESULTS: The incidence of G ≥3 events was 2.8%, 1.8%, and 2.3% for G ≥3 anus/rectum, sigmoid, and colon/small bowel events, respectively. Among G ≥2 symptoms, diarrhea and flatulence were the most prevalent (8.5% and 9.9%, respectively). Among patient-related factors, baseline morbidity, increasing age, smoking status, and low body mass index were associated with GI symptoms to varying degrees. Among treatment-related factors, rectum D2cm3 and the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements recto-vaginal reference point (ICRU RV-RP) correlated with G ≥3 anus/rectum events and moderate/persistent diarrhea, proctitis, bleeding, abdominal cramps, and difficulty in bowel control. Bowel D2cm3 correlated with G ≥3 sigmoid and colon/small bowel events and moderate/persistent diarrhea and flatulence. For external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), prescription dose correlated with G ≥3 anus/rectum, diarrhea, and difficulty in bowel control. Patients with large lymph-node boost (V57Gy) were at higher risk for G ≥3 sigmoid events, moderate/persistent diarrhea, proctitis, and cramps. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis showed that both EBRT and image guided adaptive brachytherapy contribute to GI symptoms after locally advanced cervical cancer treatment. Rectum D2cm3, ICRU RV-RP , and bowel D2cm3 are risk factors for GI morbidity. The risk for various symptoms was lower with an EBRT prescription of 45 Gy than 50 Gy and increased with larger V57Gy.

Risk factors and dose-effects for bladder fistula, bleeding and cystitis after radiotherapy with imaged-guided adaptive brachytherapy for cervical cancer: An EMBRACE analysis.

PURPOSE: To identify patient- and treatment-related risk factors for fistula, bleeding, cystitis, pain and difficulty in voiding in locally advanced cervical cancer patients treated with radio(chemo)therapy and image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Morbidity within the EMBRACE-I study was prospectively reported for physician-assessed (CTCAE) fistula, bleeding and cystitis and patient-reported (EORTC) pain and difficulty in voiding. Analysis of risk factors was performed in patients without bladder infiltration. Risk factors were tested with Cox regression for grade (G) ≥ 3 cystitis, for G ≥ 2 fistula, bleeding and cystitis, and for EORTC "very much" and "quite a bit" or worse. RESULTS: Of 1416 patients enrolled, 1153 and 884 patients without bladder infiltration were evaluable for the analysis of CTCAE and EORTC items, respectively. Median follow-up was 48[3-120] months. Crude incidence rates for G ≥ 2 fistula, bleeding and cystitis were 0.7%, 2.7% and 8.8%, respectively, and 16% and 14% for "quite a bit" or worse pain and difficulty in voiding, respectively. Baseline urinary morbidity and overweight/obesity were significant risk factors for most endpoints. Bladder D2cm3 correlated with G ≥ 2 fistula, bleeding and cystitis, while ICRU bladder point dose correlated with EORTC pain "quite a bit" or worse. An increase from 75 Gy to 80 Gy in bladder D2cm3 resulted in an increase from 8% to 13% for 4-year actuarial estimate of G ≥ 2 cystitis. CONCLUSION: Clinical and treatment-related risk factors for bladder fistula, bleeding and cystitis were identified within a prospective and multi-institutional setting. A dose-effect was established with bladder D2cm3, reinforcing the importance of continued optimization during individualized IGABT planning.

Persistence of Late Substantial Patient-Reported Symptoms (LAPERS) After Radiochemotherapy Including Image Guided Adaptive Brachytherapy for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Report From the EMBRACE Study.

PURPOSE: This report describes the persistence of late substantial treatment-related patient-reported symptoms (LAPERS) in the multi-institutional EMBRACE study on magnetic resonance image guided adaptive brachytherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patient-reported symptoms (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC]-C30/CX24) and physician-assessed morbidity (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE], version 3.0) were assessed at baseline and regular timepoints during follow-up. Patients with sufficient EORTC follow-up (baseline and ≥3 late follow-up visits) were analyzed. LAPERS events were defined as the presence of substantial EORTC symptoms (quite a bit/very much) for at least half of the assessments (persistence) and progression beyond baseline condition (treatment-related). For each EORTC symptom, the ratio between LAPERS rates and crude incidence rates of substantial symptoms was calculated to represent the proportion of symptomatic patients with persisting symptoms. For 9 symptoms with a corresponding EORTC/CTCAE assessment, the overlap of LAPERS and severe morbidity events (grades 3-5) was evaluated. RESULTS: Of 1047 patients with EORTC available, 741 had sufficient follow-up for the LAPERS analyses. The median follow-up was 59 months (interquartile range, 42-70 months). Across all symptoms, the proportion of patients with LAPERS events (LAPERS rates) was in median 4.6% (range, 0.0% vaginal bleeding to 20.4% tiredness). Urinary frequency, neuropathy, fatigue, insomnia, and menopausal symptoms revealed LAPERS rates of >10%. Vomiting, blood in stool, urinary pain/burning, and abnormal vaginal bleeding displayed LAPERS rates of <1%. A median of 19% of symptomatic patients (interquartile range, 8.0%-28.5%) showed persistent long-term symptoms (LAPERS events). In symptoms with a corresponding EORTC/CTCAE assessment, 12% of LAPERS events were accompanied by a severe CTCAE event. CONCLUSIONS: Within this large cohort of survivors of LACC, a subgroup of patients with persistent symptoms (LAPERS events) was identified. For symptoms with a corresponding EORTC/CTCAE assessment, the vast majority of LAPERS events occurred in patients without corresponding severe physician-assessed morbidity. These findings emphasize the importance of distinguishing between transient and persisting symptoms in the aftercare of LACC survivors.

Importance of the ICRU bladder point dose on incidence and persistence of urinary frequency and incontinence in locally advanced cervical cancer: An EMBRACE analysis.

PURPOSE: To identify patient- and treatment-related risk factors and dose-effects for urinary frequency and incontinence in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated with radio(chemo)therapy and image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Physician-assessed (CTCAE) and patient-reported (EORTC) frequency and incontinence recorded in the EMBRACE-I study were analysed. Risk factors analysis was performed in patients without bladder infiltration and with baseline morbidity available. Cox regression was used for CTCAE grade (G) ≥ 3 and G ≥ 2 and for EORTC "very much" and "quite a bit" or worse. Logistic regression was used for late persistent morbidity defined when CTCAE G ≥ 1 or EORTC ≥ "quite a bit" were scored in at least half of follow-ups. RESULTS: Longitudinal data on 1153 and 884 patients were available for CTCAE and EORTC analysis, respectively. Median follow-up was 48[3-120] months. Crude incidence rates of G≥2 were 13% and 11% for frequency and incontinence, respectively. Baseline morbidity and overweight-obesity were risk factors for both symptoms. Elderly patients were at higher risk for incontinence. Patients receiving conformal-radiotherapy were at higher risk for frequency. ICRU bladder point (ICRU-BP) dose was a stronger predictor for incontinence than bladder D2cm3. The 5-year actuarial estimate of G ≥ 2 incontinence increased from 11% to 20% with ICRU-BP doses > 75 Gy compared to ≤ 65 Gy. Frequency showed weaker associations with dose. CONCLUSION: ICRU-BP dose, in addition to clinical parameters, is a risk factor for urinary incontinence and shows a dose-effect after radio(chemo)therapy and IGABT. ICRU-BP dose should be monitored during treatment planning alongside volumetric parameters. Frequency seems associated with larger irradiated volumes.

Initiatives for education, training, and dissemination of morbidity assessment and reporting in a multiinstitutional international context: Insights from the EMBRACE studies on cervical cancer.

In 2008, the GEC ESTRO Gyn network launched the first multiinstitutional, observational, and prospective international study on MRI-guided brachytherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer patients (EMBRACE-I). EMBRACE-I was followed by EMBRACE-II from 2016 and ongoing. Among the aims of the EMBRACE studies are to benchmark morbidity outcomes and develop dose-volume effects and predictive models for morbidity. The EMBRACE studies collect both physician (CTCAE v.3) and patient (EORTC QLQ-C30/CX24) reported outcomes, including baseline information, in a regular follow-up schedule. The EMBRACE studies feature high numbers of patients (EMBRACE-I N = 1416, EMBRACE-II N = 1500 expected) enrolled from many institutions worldwide (EMBRACE-I n = 23, EMBRACE-II n = 45). This large-scale multiinstitutional approach offers a unique opportunity to investigate and develop new strategies for improving the quality of assessment and reporting of morbidity. This report presents an overview of the challenges and pitfalls regarding the assessment and reporting of morbidity encountered during more than a decade of development and research activities within the EMBRACE consortium. This includes the recognition and evaluation of inconsistencies in the morbidity assessment, and consequently, the provision of assistance and training in the scoring procedure to reduce systematic assessment bias. In parallel, a variety of methodological approaches were tested to comprehensively summarize morbidity outcomes, and a novel approach was developed to refine dose-effect models and risk factor analyses. The purpose of this report is to present an overview of these findings, describe the learning process, and the strategies that have consequently been implemented regarding educational activities, training, and dissemination.

Implementing an online radiotherapy quality assurance programme with supporting continuous medical education - report from the EMBRACE-II evaluation of cervix cancer IMRT contouring.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: EMBRACE-II is an international prospective study of IMRT and MRI-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) in locally advanced cervix cancer. An online radiotherapy quality assurance (RTQA) programme with minimal data transfer and supporting continuing medical education (CME) was implemented for IMRT contouring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participant contours for six volumes-of-interest (VOIs) on one benchmark case were scored (2 = excellent, 1 = fair, 0 = revision required) against a consensus reference contour. For contours receiving a 0 or 1 score, additional qualitative comments were provided. The Jaccard conformity index (JCI) was retrospectively calculated. User interaction with CME content (pre-accreditation questionnaire, contouring atlas, practice cases, quizzes, internal target volume (ITV-T) guide) was analysed. RESULTS: 78 clinicians submitted contours for evaluation. 41% passed at the first attempt, 44% after one revision and 6% after two or more revisions. 9% did not re-submit after failing. The lowest mean scores were for the elective nodal CTV (CTV-E) (1.01/2) and ITV-T (1.06/2). 60 different errors across the six VOIs were identified; five potentially had high impact on loco-regional control. A JCI cut-off of 0.7 would have identified 87% contours that failed expert assessment, but also excluded 54% of passing contours. 39 clinicians responded to the pre-accreditation questionnaire - 36% anticipated difficulties with the ITV-T and 13% with the CTV-E. 35% clinicians contoured on the practice cases, 17% answered a quiz, 96% used the atlas and 38% the ITV-T guide. CONCLUSION: Expert evaluation with qualitative feedback improved contouring compliance. The JCI is not a reliable alternative to expert assessment. Moderate uptake of optional CME content limited evaluation.

Robustness of elective lymph node target coverage with shrinking Planning Target Volume margins in external beam radiotherapy of locally advanced cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Image-Guidance decreases set-up uncertainties, which may allow for Planning Target Volume (PTV) margins reduction. This study evaluates the robustness of the elective lymph node target coverage to translational and rotational set-up errors in combination with shrinking PTV margins and determines the gain for the Organs At Risk (OARs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten cervix cancer patients who underwent external beam radiotherapy with 45 Gy/25Fx were analysed. Daily Image-Guidance was based on bony registration of Cone Beam CT (CBCT) to planning CT (pCT) and daily couch correction (translation and yaw). On each pCT, four Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy dose-plans were generated with PTV margins of 0, 3, 5 and 8 mm. The elective clinical target volume (CTV-E) was propagated from daily CBCTs to the pCT to evaluate daily CTV-E dose. Additional systematic translational isocenter shifts of 2 mm were simulated. D98% (dose received by 98% of the volume of interest) and D99.9% were extracted from each CTV-E for all dose-plans and scenarios. Total dose was accumulated by Dose-Volume Histogram addition. The dosimetric impact of PTV margin reduction on the OARs was evaluated through V30Gy (volume included within the 30 Gy isodose), V40Gy and body V43Gy. RESULTS: When decreasing the PTV margin from 5 to 0 mm, bowel V30Gy was decreased by 13% (from 247 cm3 to 214 cm3), body V43Gy by 19% (from 1462 cm3 to 1188 cm3) and PTV by 39% (from 1416 to 870 cm3). The dosimetric impact of combined systematic shifts and residual rotations on the elective target with a 0 mm PTV margin was a decrease of D98% (mean ±â€¯SD) from 44.1 Gy ±â€¯0.4 Gy to 43.7 Gy ±â€¯0.8 Gy and a minimum of 42.4 Gy. CONCLUSION: PTV margin reduction from 5 to 0 mm induced significant OARs dosimetric gains while elective target coverage remained robust to positioning uncertainties.