Integration of Consolidation Chemotherapy After Concurrent Chemoradiation in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Uterine Cervical Cancer

BACKGROUND: Despite the current standard of concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT), around 30–40% are still dying from locally advanced cervical cancer. Increasing the radiation dose further was not a feasible option, but addition of chemotherapy further was tried due to the different toxicity profiles of it. So, the use of consolidation chemotherapy beyond CCRT has been studied. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy, toxicity, tumour response and loco-regional control following consolidation chemotherapy after concurrent chemoradiation in locally advanced carcinoma cervix (LACC). METHODS: The patients were randomized into two arms: the conventional arm (control arm, n = 30) patients received conventional treatment with weekly injection cisplatin (35 mg/m(2)) concurrently with pelvic external beam radiation (50 Gy/25 fraction, 2 Gy/fraction, 5 fraction weekly) followed by intracavitary radiotherapy of 21 Gy in 3 fractions of 7 Gy each by HDR brachytherapy. In the interventional arm (study arm, n = 30), patients received the standard treatment followed by 3 cycles of consolidation chemotherapy (paclitaxel + carboplatin) every three weekly. RESULTS: Haematological toxicity (grade 3 anaemia and grade 1 leucopenia, grade 1 and 2 thrombocytopenia) was higher in the study group. Renal, hepatic and gastrointestinal toxicity was more in the study arm. Peripheral neuropathy was mostly seen in the study arm. Median follow-up was 9 months. Treatment response was better, and the rate of recurrence was less in the study arm. CONCLUSION: Addition of few cycles of consolidation chemotherapy after standard treatment is beneficial in patients with LACC with manageable toxicity and good compliance.