CONCURRENT CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH LOCALLY ADVANCED-CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX

Background: The feasibility of concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherap y for advanced primary carcinoma of the cervix was evaluated and the r esults were compared to historical controls. Patients and methods: In a single institution study, patients (n = 74) with primary cervical ca rcinoma received 3 cycles carboplatin/5-fluorouracil concurrent with r adiotherapy, followed by salvage hysterectomy (group I). Treatment res ults were compared with those of a historical control group (n = 39) ( group II), treated similarly but without chemotherapy. Results: In gro up 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 surviva l and local recurrence free survival for group I and II are, respectiv ely, 69% versus 38% (P < 0.003), 67% versus 38% (P < 0.005) and 84% ve rsus 43% (P < 0.0001). Two patients in each group developed posttreatm ent enteritis. Conclusions: Radiotherapy with concurrent carboplatin a nd 5-fluorouracil resulted in a better overall survival, disease free survival and local disease free survival compared to historical contro ls. The toxicity of this schedule did not exceed that of radiation alo ne in historical controls.