Chemotherapy in recurrent and advanced cervical cancer

Twenty-five patients, ranging from 21 to 61 years of age (median = 45 years), with histologically proven recurrent and advanced cervical cancer were treated with chemotherapy using a combination of bleomycin, ifosfamide, and cis-platinum (BIP). Twenty-one patients were evaluable for response. Ninety percent of patients achieved a subjective response. An objective response was noted in 14 of 21 (66.6%) patients: complete in 4 (19%) and partial in 10 (47.6%). Side effects were mainly nausea/vomiting, alopecia, myelosuppression, reversible encephalopathy, and impaired renal function. One patient died from the toxic effects of chemotherapy. These results indicate that BIP is an active combination in recurrent cervical cancer with acceptable toxicity.