Objectives Low back ache is often reported by cervical cancer patients post radiation treatment. We hypothesized that pelvic radiation therapy might lead to bone density changes. Hence a prospective clinical trial to evaluate pelvic bone density changes, if any and low back ache was sought in patients of locally advanced carcinoma cervix undergoing concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) at our institute. We hereby present an interim analysis of our study.

Methods Data of 57 patients was analysed. Pelvic bone density was assessed using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan which was done pre and post (at 1 year) of CCRT. Also pre and post RT Pain and disability scoring was done using Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability scale. Results were statistically analysed.

Results The mean pre and post RT BMDs at the radiated lumbar vertebra 5 (L5) was 0.815g/cm2 and 0.679 gm/cm2 and mean T score for radiated femoral neck (FN) was -1.586 and -2.435, respectively. Similarly at non-irradiated thoracic vertebrae 12 (D12) site pre and post RT mean BMD values were -1.326 gm/cm2 and -2.440 gm/cm2 respectively. Results were statistically significant (p<0.001). Median Low back ache score for pre RT was 3 and post RT was 4.Median disability index was 27.9 pre RT and 30.8 post RT. Statistically significant pain and disability score was observed (p<0.001).

Conclusions Though our interim analysis showed that radiation treatment might lead to significant changes in pelvic bone density and increase in low back and disability score, definitive conclusion could only be drawn after completion of the trial.