Chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced cervical cancer

Abstract

Objective: to improve the results of treatment with chemoradiation therapy CRT) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Subjects and methods. A cycle of CRT was performed in 48 patients in Group 1 (a study group). 159 patients received traditional combined radiotherapy (CoRT) in Group 2 (a control group). Their follow-up time was 36 months. During CoRT, split course monochemotherapy with cisplatin 40 mg/m2 was performed weekly in all the patients of the study group. In the study and control groups, radiotherapy involved teleradiotherapy in a cumulative focal dose (CFD) of 46—50 Gy and intracavitary radiotherapy 5—7-Gy in a single dose of 40 Gy. At step 1, the absorbed dose was adjusted to a CFD of 50 Gy in a cumulative dose. The treatment interval was 3 weeks. Brachytherapy was carried out at step 2. Results. The common complications were found to be hematological in the CoRT and CRT groups (62.8 and 83.3%, respectively). In the CRT and CoRT groups, the rate of distant metastases was 12.4 and 45.7%. In the CRT and radiotherapy groups, 3-year overall survival rates were 62.2 and 48.8%, respectively (p>0.05). Conclusion. The findings allow CRT to be considered as a more effective treatment for locally advanced cancer of the cervix uteri.