Doxorubicin-cisplatin combination chemotherapy for recurrent carcinoma of the cervix

A total of 31 patients with recurring or metastasizing squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix were treated with doxorubicin and cisplatin. Sixteen patients (Group 1) had previously been treated with external irradiation and two intracavitary radium applications, and 15 patients (Group 2) had been treated with radiotherapy plus chemotherapy with bleomycin plus mitomycin, peplomycin, or melphalan. The overall frequency of response was approximately 16% (five of 31 patients). In Group 1, two of 16 patients had complete remission for 14+ and 28 months, and survival for 36+ and 45+ months. One of 16 patients had partial remission for 8 months, and survival for 16+ months. In Group 2, two of 15 patients achieved partial remission for 16 and 18 months, and survival for 28 and 35 months. No serious side effects were noted in the two groups.