Concomitant chemo-radiation in locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix

OBJECTIVE(S) : To determine whether concurrent chemo-radiotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine can change the poor outcome in locally advanced cervical carcinoma. METHOD(S) : Eight hundred sixty-seven previously untreated patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma (FIGO stage II B to IVA) were eligible to enter the study. They were intended to receive external beam radiotherapy and concomitant weekly chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine to be followed by intracavitary brachytherapy. RESULTS : Sixty-seven patients included in the study had withdrawn themselves mainly due to diarrhea, which was the most common nonhematological toxicity. Anemia and leukopenia were the most important hematological toxicities. Complete local control rate was 67 % at 3 months after completion of treatment, which was subsequently reduced to 60 % at a median follow up of 10.5 months. CONCLUSION(S) : Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine has shown promising result in locally advanced cervical carcinoma that otherwise has a dismal prognosis.