Management of locally advanced cervical cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cervical cancer is a significant global public health problem. In underdeveloped countries where screening programs are not widely available and in underserved populations in developed countries, women commonly present with locally advanced disease that is not curable by any extent of radical hysterectomy. This review will critically evaluate the evidence supporting the available treatment modalities for locally advanced cancer of the uterine cervix.

RECENT FINDINGS

Concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy and radiation have demonstrated significant survival improvement for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Advances in imaging and radiotherapy technologies, the inclusion of newer agents to the chemoradiation regimens, the use of new hypoxic cell radiosensitizers and monoclonal antibodies that inhibit cell growth, with consequent increase in malignant cell kill fractions, are some of the new therapeutic options that may be used to improve the survival of these patients.

SUMMARY

Continued improvement in understanding the natural history of cervical cancer, the limitations of the current staging system, and these newer therapeutic options will increase the efficacy of chemoradiation and improved the survival of these patients.