Radiation therapy and simultaneous chemotherapy for recurrent cervical carcinoma

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity in patients with recurrence of cervical cancer treated with radiotherapy and simultaneous chemotherapy.

Patients and methods: Between 1987 and 2001, 24 patients with recurrent cervical carcinoma were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Nine patients had incomplete tumor resection prior to radiation therapy. Irradiation was delivered to a total dose of 60 Gy, in three patients with central recurrences supplemented by brachytherapy. One patient was treated with brachytherapy alone. Simultaneous chemotherapy was done as a combined therapy of 5-fluorouracil-(5-FU, 600 mg/m(2)/d1-5, 29-33) and cisplatin (20 mg/m(2)/d1-5, 29-33; 16/24 patients) or of 5-FU (1,000 mg/m(2)/d1-5, 29-33) and mitomycin C (10 mg/m(2)/d2, 30; 1/24 patients). Cisplatin alone (25 mg/m(2)/d1-5) and carboplatin alone (800 mg/m(2)/d1-5) were administered in 5/24 patients (21%) and 2/24 patients (8%).

Results: The 5-year local recurrence-free survival rate was 37%, disease-free survival 33%, and overall survival 34%. Grade 3 toxicity (NCI-CTC grade 3) occurred mainly as diarrhea (38%), leukopenia (33%), and nausea (21%). Severe toxicity (grade 4) was not seen in any of the patients.

Conclusion: Radiation therapy with simultaneous chemotherapy for recurrences of cervical cancer is an effective treatment with acceptable toxicity.