Stereotactic body radiation therapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer

Abstract

Background: This study evaluates the outcomes and toxicity of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in ovarian cancer. Methods: This retrospective analysis considered all patients treated with SBRT from 2009 to 2018 with a primary ovarian tumor. Follow-up included PET-CT and CT scans at 2-3 month intervals. Statistical analysis primarily consisted of univariate analysis, Cox proportional hazards analysis, and the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The study included 35 patients with 98 treatments for lymph nodes (51), local recurrence (21), and de novo solid metastases (26). Median biologically effective dose (BED), gross tumor volume, and planning target volume were 38.40 Gy, 10.41 cc, and 25.21 cc, respectively. 52 lesions showed complete radiographic response, and two-year local control was 80%. Median overall survival (OS) was 35.2 months, and two-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 12%. On univariate analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status > 0 was predictive of decreased OS (p = 0.0024) and PFS (p = 0.044). Factors predictive of local failure included lower BED (p = 0.016), treatment for recurrence (p = 0.029), and higher pre-treatment SUV (p = 0.026). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed BED ≤35 Gy (p < 0.005) and treatment for recurrence (p = 0.01) to be predictive of local failure. On Cox proportional hazards analysis, treatment of lymph nodes was predictive of complete radiographic response (hazard ratio (HR) = 4.95), as was higher BED (HR = 1.03). Toxicity included 27 cases of grade < 3 toxicity, and one grade 5 late toxicity of GI bleed from a radiation therapy-induced duodenal ulcer. Conclusions: SBRT provides durable local control with minimal toxicity in ovarian cancer, especially with BED > 35 Gy and treatment for lymph nodes.