Radiation ±cisplatin for bulky stage IB cervical carcinoma; Long-term follow-up of a GOG trial

Abstract

5015 Purpose: To confirm that concurrent cisplatin (CT) with radiation (RT) is associated with improved long-term progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and decreased morbidity compared to RT stage IB bulky carcinoma of the cervix, when both groups’ therapy is followed by hysterectomy. Methods: Three hundred seventy-four patients entered this trial. There were 369 evaluable patients; 186 were randomly allocated to receive RT alone and 183 to receive CT+RT. Radiation dosage was 40 Gray (Gy) in 20 fractions followed by a single low dose-rate intracavitary application of 30 Gy to Point A. Chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin 40 mg/M2 every week for up to six weekly cycles. Total extrafascial hysterectomy followed the completion of RT by 3–6 weeks. Results: Preliminary results have been published, at which time there many censored observations and limited follow-up. Patient and tumor characteristics were well-balanced between the regimens. The median patient age was 41.5 years; 81% had squamous tumors; 59% were white. Median follow-up is 101 months. The relative risk for progression was 0.61 favoring CT+RT (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43–0.85, p < 0.004). At 72 months 71% of patients receiving CT+RT were predicted to be alive and disease-free when adjusting age and for tumor size compared to 60% of those receiving RT alone. The adjusted death hazard ratio was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.43–0.91, p < 0.015) favoring CT+RT. At 72 months, 78% of CT+RT patients were predicted to be alive compared to 64% of RT patients. An increased rate of early hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity was seen with CT+RT. There was no detectable difference in the frequency of late adverse events. Conclusion: Concurrent weekly cisplatin with RT significantly improves long term PFS and OS when compared to RT alone. Serious late effects were not increased. The inclusion of hysterectomy has been discontinued on the basis of another trial. Pending further trials, weekly cisplatin with radiation is the standard against which other regimens must be compared. Key Words: Cervical carcinoma, chemoradiotherapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.