WEEKLY CISPLATIN AS NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY IN LOCALLY ADVANCED CERVICAL-CANCER - A WELL-TOLERATED ALTERNATIVE

To assess the efficacy and the compliance of weekly cisplatin as neoad juvant chemotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer, 23 patients, FIGO stage IB-IIA > 4 cm - IIB, were recruited. Treatment consisted of four weekly courses of cisplatin (1.5 mg/kg): 91% of the patients rec eived the planned therapy without dose reduction or delay. Toxicity wa s mild: delayed emesis was the most common side effect. Overall clinic al response rate was 85% with a complete response in 28%. Nineteen pat ients underwent surgery without any undue increase in morbidity. Histo logic analysis of surgical specimens revealed a complete response in 2 5% of stage IB-IIA patients; in only one case of stage IIB, was residu al parametrial involvement present. In conclusion, weekly cisplatin is highly effective, with lower cost and less toxicity compared to other neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens.