Сombined radiotherapy for cervical cancer with the use of polyradiosensitization with cisplatin and gemcitabine - immediate trial results of Azerbaijan national center of oncology

Abstract

Aim. Study of immediate results of chemoradiotherapy of locally advanced cervical cancer with the use of polyradiosensitization with cisplatin and gemcitabine. Methods. The article analyzes diagnostic and treatment results of 128 patients with IIA-IIIB stage cervical cancer. The age of patients varied between 31 and 76 years. External beam radiotherapy was performed with 1.8 Gy fraction up to a total dose of 45 Gy, high dose rate brachytherapy consisted of four 7.0 Gy fractions. Patients from group 1 received weekly infusions of cisplatin (40 mg/m2) and from group 2 - polyradiosensitization with cisplatin (40 mg/m2) and gemcitabine (75 mg/m2). Results. Chemoradiotherapy with the use of polyradiosensitization compared to standard chemoradiotherapy allowed significant improving of immediate results of treatment of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, which was particularly prominent in such unfavorable cases as cervical adenocarcinoma and IIIB stage of the disease. Early toxicity of the treatment was higher in group 2 but effectively resolved with symptomatic supportive treatment and did not lead to interruptions in radiotherapy. Conclusion. Combination of conformal external beam radiotherapy, high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy and concurrent polychemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine is feasible and reasonably safe; chemoradiotherapy with the use of polyradiosensitization improves immediate results of the treatment of cervical cancer with acceptable level of toxicity.