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

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.

To evaluate the efficacy, toxicity, tumour response and loco-regional control following consolidation chemotherapy after concurrent chemoradiation in locally advanced carcinoma cervix (LACC).

The patients were randomized into two arms: the conventional arm (control arm, n = 30) patients received conventional treatment with weekly injection cisplatin (35 mg/m²) 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.

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.

Addition of few cycles of consolidation chemotherapy after standard treatment is beneficial in patients with LACC with manageable toxicity and good compliance.