Treatment outcomes of concurrent weekly carboplatin with radiation therapy in locally advanced cervical cancer patients

ObjectiveTo evaluate treatment outcomes of locally advanced cervical cancer patients who received concurrent weekly carboplatin with radiation therapy.MethodsPatients with locally advanced cervical cancer who had primary radiation treatment in concurrent with weekly carboplatin (100 mg/m2 or AUC 2) from 1997 to 2008 were identified. Demographic data, chemotherapy cycles, total treatment time, toxicities, and treatment outcomes were recorded.ResultsOne hundred and forty-eight patients with stage IIB (50.7%), IIIB (48.0%) and IVA (1.3%) cervical cancer patients were included in the study. Median total treatment time was 53.5 days (range, 45–100 days). Carboplatin was given for a median number of 6 cycles (range, 3–6 cycles). Complete response was achieved in 142 patients (95.9%) while six (4.1%) had persistent diseases. Among the 142 responders, 36 experienced recurrences: pelvic recurrences in seven (4.7%), distant failure in 25 (16.9%), and both pelvic and distant in four (2.7%). The 2-year and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 75.1% and 63.0%, respectively with the corresponding 2-year and 5-year overall survival rates of 81.9% and 63.5%. No grade 3 or 4 hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities were observed during treatment in any patients. Late grade 3–4 gastrointestinal or genitourinary toxicities were 10.1% and 0.7%, respectively.ConclusionConcurrent weekly carboplatin with radiation therapy yields high response rate with modest progression-free and overall survivals in locally advanced cervical cancer. The regimen is feasible with minimal toxicities.

► Concurrent radiation with weekly carboplatin in 148 locally advanced cervical cancer patients was reviewed. ► This regimen is feasible with manageable toxicities. ► Five-year overall survival are comparable with weekly cisplatin.