'Quick course' neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin, bleomycin and vincristine in advanced cervical cancer

To evaluate the response and safety of 'quick course' neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 30 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of cervix were given cisplatin, bleomycin, and vincristine weekly for 3 courses. The response was evaluated by subjective parameters and by standard response criteria. In addition to the marked improvement in symptoms, the overall objective response was 60% with a complete pathological response of 6.6%. Tumor volume decreased significantly (p=0.002) after chemotherapy. Patients with stage IB and 27% (3 of 11) of patients with stage II disease who became technically stage IB (stage reduction) after chemotherapy underwent surgery. Radiotherapy was given to the remaining patients. All patients tolerated the chemotherapy.