Cisplatin/etoposide chemotherapy for recurrent or primarily advanced cervical carcinoma

Thirty-eight women with primarily advanced (n = 10) or recurrent (n = 28) cervical carcinoma were treated with cisplatin (30 mg/m2/day intravenously) and etoposide (60 mg/m2/day intravenously) for 3 days followed by oral etoposide, 50 mg daily for 7 days, repeated at 28-day intervals. The response rate was 39% (95% confidence limits 24-55%) with response duration of 5 to 36 months. The main toxicities were neutropenia (21% developing neutropenic fever), alopecia, stomatitis, and nausea and vomiting. Despite this all responders had maintained or improved quality of life as defined by symptoms and performance status.