[Radiochemotherapy of cervical carcinoma. (Necessity of dose reduction in chemotherapy)].

Introduction: The concurrent radiochemotherapy used in the treatment of high risk and locally advanced cervical cancer therapy seems to be standard practice. Studies carried out in 1999 and 2000, reported the results of five large-scale prospective randomized investigations using radiotherapy which showed progression-free and overall survival rate increase compared to use of solely radiotherapy (Gynecology Oncology Group (GOG) 123, South West Oncology Group (SWOG) 8797, Radiotherapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 9001, Gynecology Oncology Group (GOG) 85, Gynecology Oncology Group (GOG) 120).

Objectives: The aim of the investigation was to report our early findings of cervical cancer radiotherapy detailing the arising radiogen toxicity.

Method: This is a report of a study carried out at the Oncoradiology Centre of Budapest, (between July 2002 and March 2005) on 66 cervical cancer patients. In concurrent radiotherapy the total dose of high photon energy percutaneous radiotherapy (megavolt therapy) for the pelvic region was 50.4 Gy, in 1.8 Gy fractions and with the weekly dosage of 40 mg/m2 cisplatin prior to the radiotherapy.

Results: The planned cytostatic treatment could be carried out on 27 patients (41%) on five treatments. At the same time, the number of treatments on the other patients had to be reduced due to haematological toxicity in the following way: 4 treatments on 16 patients (24%), 3 treatments on 7 patients (11%), 2 treatments on 10 patients (15%) and once on 6 patients (9%). Altogether it was necessary to reduce the dosage from the planned protocol, on 44 patients (67%). The optimal radiotherapy time of 56 days as reported in the literature, was exceeded in 17 cases (26%) on account of the radiogen toxicity.

Conclusions: On the basis of our own results it is not advisable to raise the cisplatin weekly dosage to above 20 mg/m2.