• A L Fields, P S Anderson, G L Goldberg, S Wadler, J Beitler, B Sood, and C D Runowicz.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
• Gynecol. Oncol. 1996 Jun 1; 61 (3): 416-22.

PurposePatients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix have a poor prognosis when treated by standard radiotherapy (RT) alone. Factors such as large tumor volume or nodal disease result in pelvic and distant treatment failures. Cisplatin (CDDP), a known radiosensitizer with documented activity in squamous cell carcinomas, was used in a phase II prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of combined chemo/radiotherapy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix.MethodCDDP was administered (20 mg/m2) daily X 5 at 21-day intervals with concomitant external beam and intracavity RT. Standard RT was delivered at 1.8-2.0 Gy/day, 5 fractions per week for 5 weeks. Intracavitary cesium insertions were planned to treat point A to approximately 80 Gy.ResultsFifty-nine patients were enrolled from March 1986 to July 1990. Four patients were voluntarily withdrawn, leaving 55 patients evaluable for response. Of these, 16 were Stage IB/IIA, 11 were Stage IIB, 24 were Stage III, and 4 were Stage IV. The median age of patients enrolled was 47 years (range 27-79). Median follow-up time was 65 months (range 60-113). Histopathologic confirmation of node status was available in 33 patients, of whom 45.5% (15/33) had nodal metastases. Overall response was 96% (CR = 87%, PR = 9.0%) and 3.6% had progressive disease during treatment. Forty-six patients were evaluable at 5 years for overall and disease-free survival. Calculations were based on Kaplan-Meier product limit estimates. The 5-year survival was 73% for Stage IB/IIA, 60% for Stage IIB, 67% for Stage III, and 25% for Stage IV. The disease-free survival at 5 years was 73% for Stage for IB/IIA, 50% for Stage IIB, 67% for Stage III, and 25% for Stage IV. Hematologic toxicity was severe but tolerable. No treatment-related deaths occurred.ConclusionConcomitant CDDP/RT is a safe and tolerable method of treating patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Our data suggest a benefit in both disease-free and 5-year survival, particularly notable among patients with Stage III disease.

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