Pelvic Fractures and Radiation Therapy for Cervical Cancer

The goal of this study is to estimate how often pelvic fractures occur in women treated with radiation therapy for either newly diagnosed or recurrent cervical, endometrial, or vaginal cancer. The study will also estimate the changes in bone mineral density and the changes in the blood that relate to "bone turnover". High bone turnover can weaken bones and make you more likely to break a bone.

If you agree to take part in this study, the following tests and procedures will be performed before radiation therapy, and again 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years after you complete radiation:

• You will have a bone mineral density test. A bone mineral density test measures bone loss over time, identifies osteoporosis (a disease of the bones that causes them to be weak and easily breakable) or the risk for developing osteoporosis, and checks your risk for fractures. During the test, you will lie on a cushioned table while a mechanical arm-like device will pass over your body. This device will not touch you.
• During your routine visits, you will have either a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or a computed tomography (CT) scan of the pelvis as part of your standard of care. The type of scan used will be decided by your doctor. These scans will be reviewed by the research staff of this study to determine your response to therapy, determine if your cancer has returned, and to look for broken bones.
• Blood (about 1 tablespoon) will be drawn to test for bone turnover.
• Before you start treatment, blood (about 2 to 3 teaspoons) will be drawn for tests to measure the level of vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH).

When you join the study, researchers will collect information from your medical record. This information will include your medical history, your ethnicity, if you have had any bone fractures, if you have a history of bone fractures in your family, and your use of tobacco and/or alcohol.

Length of Study:

You will be off study 2 years after you complete radiation.

This is an investigational study. Up to 300 women will take part in the study. All will be enrolled at M. D. Anderson.

Cervical, endometrial, or vaginal cancer patients who will receive extended field radiation, brachytherapy, or pelvic radiation therapy.

• Cervical Cancer
• Endometrial Cancer
• Vaginal Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with histologically confirmed primary or recurrent cervical , endometrial or vaginal cancer. All stages, grades and histologic subtypes will be eligible except neuroendocrine.
2. Patients treated with definitive radiation therapy. Patients receiving extended field radiation or brachytherapy in addition to pelvic radiation are eligible. Patients treated with surgery, chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy in addition to radiation therapy are also eligible.
3. Patients must sign an approved informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients undergoing palliative intent radiation therapy for advanced disease.
2. Patients who received prior radiation to the pelvis.
3. Patients with an existing pelvic fracture within the proposed radiation field.
4. Patients unwilling or unable to provide informed consent for the study.
5. Patients with bone metastases.
6. Neuroendocrine features present.
7. Patients weighing more than 300 lbs are excluded as they cannot be adequately studied in axial skeleton with current bone mineral density software.