[Current methods of chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer. Options for reduction of side-effects]

The advantages of cisplatin based radiochemotherapy have been proven for over one and a half decades, particularly in the treatment of advanced solid tumours. In head and neck, and cervical tumours results of prospective studies are available. Those showed that both in the early and advanced stages, local control and overall survival rates are better than radiotherapy alone. The effect of cisplatin can be probably intensified with novel, more effective molecules, such as m-TOR inhibitors and tirapazamine. The authors review cisplatin and non-cisplatin based radiochemotherapy protocols, which improve previous treatment results. It should be considered, however, radiotherapy for cervical cancer can cause hematological, urogenital and intestinal toxicity, similarly to other combined treatments. The authors briefly outline international recommendations and their own experience for the prevention of these side-effects.