# High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy in Cervical and Endometrial Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Study From a Tertiary Cancer Center in the UAE

## TL;DR

This study shows that high-dose-rate brachytherapy improves survival for cervical and endometrial cancer patients in the UAE.

## Contribution

The study provides real-world evidence of HDR brachytherapy's effectiveness in a Middle Eastern population.

## Key findings

- HDR brachytherapy was associated with a 75% 12-month survival rate compared to 50% without it.
- Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histopathological type among patients.
- 86.68% of patients were alive at the last review, but 37.88% experienced disease progression.

## Abstract

Purpose

This study evaluates the therapeutic outcomes and practical application of high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy in managing cervical and endometrial cancers at a tertiary hospital in the UAE, focusing on treatment efficacy, safety, and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 368 female patients treated between January 2008 and January 2022. Data included demographic information, cancer type, histopathology, treatment details, and survival outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

The cohort comprised 275 cervical cancer patients (74.73%) and 93 endometrial cancer patients (25.27%). The majority were non-nationals (79.62%). The mean age was 57 years. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histopathological type (63.59%). HDR brachytherapy was administered to 290 patients (79.89%). The 12-month survival probability was significantly higher in the HDR-Brachy group (75%, 95% CI: 60% to 85%) compared to the noHDR-Brachy group (50%, 95% CI: 35% to 65%), with a hazard ratio of 0.953 (p=0.0035). At the last review, 86.68% of patients were alive, and disease progression was observed in 37.88% of patients.

Conclusion

HDR brachytherapy significantly improves survival outcomes in cervical and endometrial cancer patients. Continued efforts to enhance access and standardize brachytherapy protocols are essential to optimize treatment efficacy and patient outcomes in similar healthcare settings.