Locally advanced cervical cancer: Preliminary results of the prospective randomized study

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to show preliminary results of the randomized study that has been conducted among patients with advanced cervical cancer managed by loco-regional radiotherapy alone or combined treatment (radiotherapy with chemotherapy as radiosensitiser). Methods: From the beginning of 2002 till today 182 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer have been enrolled in the study (FIGO IIb-IVa). They have been treated by combined external beam irradiation (46Gy/22fr) and HDR brachyterapy (5x7Gy/A). Eighty-nine of them underwent the same radiotherapy regime with concomitant chemotherapy cisplatin (CDDP) 40mg per week). Median age for both groups were 52 years. Pathological examination showed: Squamous cell carcinoma in most cases 175, adeno Ca 6 and others 1. Effect of the therapy and early irradiation complications have been estimated by the tumor regression and toxicity grade. Results: Tumor regression have been occurred as complete response in 10.1% for RT group and for RT-HT group in 16.86%. Partial regression was for RT group 86% and for RT-HT group 87%. Early complications (haematological, urological and intestinal) in RT group were noted in 34% and in RT-HT group in 43% of patients. Conclusion: There was no benefit of RT-HT comparing to RT alone in the tumor regression of locally advanced cervical cancer. Early complications of combined therapy are more experienced than in RT group.

Keywords

• cervix neoplasms
• combined modality therapy
• radiotherapy
• adjuvant
• antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols