Feasibility study of an alternating schedule of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in advanced uterine cervical carcinoma.

From July 1981 to April 1982, 36 patients with advanced cervical carcinoma stage III (24 patients) and stage IV (12 patients) entered a feasibility study of a radiotherapy and chemotherapy combination. The first three chemotherapy courses consisted of cis-platinum alone (50 mg/m2) and were interdigitated with radiotherapy. Six more courses composed of an association of cis-platinum (50 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (400 mg/m2) were given after the completion of radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was delivered in two courses of 25 Gy separated by a gap of 2 weeks. The overall 4-year survival rate was 35% (95% CI: 22%). The 4-year survival rate, cumulative loco-regional failure rate, and cumulative metastasis rate were respectively 44% (95% CI: 20%), 56% (95% CI: 21%), and 30% (95% CI: 21%) in stage III and 28% (95% CI: 27%), 83% (95% CI: 21%) and 74% (95% CI: 30%) in stage IV. The incidence of immediate and late complications was low: no patient had her radiotherapy stopped because of an intolerance and two patients had their chemotherapy stopped because of an haematological intolerance. Only one patient presented a severe late clinical complication (small bowel injury).