Extended field radiation and cisplatin for stage IIB and IIIB cervical carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate local regional control, survival, and morbidity in patients with FIGO IIB and IIIB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix treated with primary extended field (prophylactic paraaoratic radiation) radiation and weekly cisplatin.

METHODS

Sixty-seven patients (44 IIB and 23 IIIB) with carcinoma of the cervix received cisplatin at 1 mg/kg (up to 60 mg) weekly and extended field radiation therapy including the paraaortic nodes and brachytherapy.

RESULTS

After the scheduled therapy 94.1% of the patients were complete responders. Seventy-five percent are alive without evidence of disease with a mean follow-up of 47.5 months.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the ability to give concomitant weekly cisplatin and prophylactic paraaortic radiation with minimal morbidity. The encouraging Kaplan-Meier survival of 75% and only eight pelvic failures warrants further investigation.