A phase I/II study combining radical radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin in the treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix

Abstract

Sixteen patients with advanced cervix cancer have been treated in a phase I/II study of concurrent radiotherapy and cisplatin chemotherapy. The external beam radiotherapy was given as a ‘split course’ because of initial concerns about acute toxicity. The treatment was well tolerated with all patients completing the prescribed radiotherapy and all patients received the intended four doses of cisplatin. One of 5 patients with stage IVB disease is alive and disease free 35 months after treatment. Six of the 11 patients with disease confined to the pelvis are alive and disease free between 28 and 53 months after treatment. One patient has required surgery for a recto-sigmoid stricture.