Concurrent PCF chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for middle and advanced cervical cancer

Background and purpose:Cervix cancer is the second most common cancer in gynecologic malignant tumors. Chemotherapy has been used more and more lately, and concurrent chemo-radiotherapy are receiving increasing attention. In this study, we investigated the clinical effect of concurrent PCF chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for moderate and advanced cervical cancer. Methods:One hundred and ninty-six patients with moderate and advanced cervical cancer were randomly divided into two groups: only radiotherapy group and chemo-radiotherapy group (98 cases for each group). Two groups underwent the same fractionation irradiation, the chemo-radiotherapy group was given PCF regimen that consisted of (DDP) at the dose of 20 mg daily intravenously for 1-5 days, (5-FU) at the dose of 500 mg daily for 1,3,5 days and (CTX) at the dose of 400 mg daily for 2,4 day for 2-4 cycles. Both groups received radiotherapy with 30 Gy first and were irradiated by the combination of external radiotherapy plus intracavitary irradiation.Results:The immediate response rates of the two groups were 100 %, there was no statistical difference. The 5 year survival rate was 76.5 % in chemo-radiotherapy group and 50 % in only radiotherapy group (P0.05). More severe toxicity was found in the group of concurrent chemotherapy plus radiotherapy but most of them was under RTOG Ⅰ/Ⅱ grade.Conclusions:The concurrent PCF chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for middle and advanced cervical cancer can significantly improve 5 year survival without significantly increasing side effects.