Locally advanced cervical cancer: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radical surgery an alternative approach to chemo-radiation in a low-income setting: A descriptive study

Abstract

Objective To describe the treatment outcomes of locally advanced cervical cancer managed with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) plus radical surgery at a gynecology oncology center in Ethiopia. Methods This was a retrospective descriptive study of management of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (Ethiopia) over 5 years. Data were collected by reviewing patient records. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Simple descriptive analysis was employed to analyze clinical, histologic, and treatment outcomes of LACC managed with NACT+ radical surgery. Frequency and proportions were used to present the results’ significance. Results A total of 98 patients were analyzed. One-third (31.6%) of cervical cancer patients with locally advanced disease were operable after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Out of this, nodal metastasis was found in 2 patients (all pelvic lymph node metastasis). Disease recurrence within 2 years was 3% (1 recurrence within 6–12 months and 2 recurrences at 12–24 months). Conclusion This study supports utilization of NACT plus radical surgery for locally advanced cervical cancer, where chemoradiation is not readily available. Our findings imply that this treatment modality is a life-saving alternative treatment in a low-income setting, which is often married by shortage or unavailability of radiotherapy at the needed time before disease progression ensues.