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.