Long-term survival after concomitant chemoradiotherapy prior to surgery in advanced cervical carcinoma

Objective.To report the long-term survival of 35 patients who underwent surgery after concomitant chemoradiation for locally advanced cervical cancers.Methods.From 1988 to 1992, 20 bulky IB–IIB patients and 15 stage III–IVA patients underwent surgery after concurrent chemotherapy (CDDP and 5-FU) and radiotherapy. 26 had a hysterectomy, 8 had an exenteration, 1 had no tumor resection. 21 had a para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Endpoints were recurrence and distant metastasis rates, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 5 and 10 years. Analysis included FIGO stage, type of surgery (palliative or curative), response to chemoradiation or para-aortic lymphatic status.Results.Surgery had been only palliative in 6 cases (17.1%). A pelvic control has been achieved in 31 patients (88.6%). Pelvic recurrences occurred after a median interval of 7 months. Distant metastases occurred in 10 patients (28.6%), after a median interval of 20 months. So far, 16 patients have died (45.7%). The 10-year DFS is 56.7% in the whole series. Only the type of surgery significantly affected the OS. Only the para-aortic lymphatic status significantly affected the DFS.Conclusion.Associating chemoradiation with curative surgery, we obtained a 10-year DFS of 66.4% (OS 57.7%). Adjuvant surgery may increase the survival as it reduces the risk of local relapse.