Concurrent chemo- and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix.
BACKGROUND
The feasibility of concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for advanced primary carcinoma of the cervix was evaluated and the results were compared to historical controls.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
In a single institution study, patients (n = 74) with primary cervical carcinoma received 3 cycles carboplatin/5-fluorouracil concurrent with radiotherapy followed by salvage hysterectomy (group I). Treatment results were compared with those of a historical control group (n = 39) (group II), treated similarly but without chemotherapy.


RESULTS
In group I median follow-up is 28 months (12-68+) and in group II 23 months (14-90+ months). The 5-year overall survival, progression-free survival and local recurrence free survival for group I and II are, respectively, 69% versus 38% (P < 0.003), 67% versus 38% (P < 0.005) and 84% versus 43% (P < 0.0001). Two patients in each group developed posttreatment enteritis.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiotherapy with concurrent carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil resulted in a better overall survival, disease free survival and local disease free survival compared to historical controls. The toxicity of this schedule did not exceed that of radiation alone in historical controls.