Concurrent Chemo-radiotherapy Increases Survival In Cervical Cancer
Patients
A DGReview of :"Role
of Chemotherapy in Cervical Cancer"
Obstetrics and
Gynaecology Communications
06/06/2000
By James Adams
Chemotherapy used concurrently with radiotherapy increases survival rates
for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, according to a therapy
update published in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Communications.
A number
of clinical studies reviewed in this update have shown improved overall survival
rates, as well as improved progression-free and disease-free survival rates,
when chemotherapy is used concurrently with radiotherapy for the treatment of
cervical cancer.
While these initial results are promising, additional
research is required, the author suggests. The majority of women in these
studies had stage Ib to IIb disease, and whether or not these positive results
will be applicable to patients with stage IIb to IVa disease is not yet
clear.
Also, the most effective drug regimen (cisplatin alone versus
cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil) for concurrent chemo-radiotherapy remains to be
determined.
So far, the use of induction or neoadjuvant chemotherapy
prior to radiotherapy has yielded response rates no greater than radiotherapy
alone, although the author of this review suggests that many of the studies
comparing these two treatment types have been flawed.
Results using
neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgery in patients with stage Ib to IIa
disease have also been encouraging.
