Abstract

Introduction: To assess treatment response, feasibility, safety and effectiveness of radiotherapy by different regimens of HDRbrachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with and without concurrent cisplatin in the treatment of advanced cervical cancer. Patients and Methods: A total of 95 patients with advanced cervical cancer were included for analysis. All patients were divided to 3 groups. In the I group we used EBRT in total dose 46-50 Gy, HDRBt - four 7.5 Gy weekly fractions. II group patients received 46-50 Gy EBRT, two weekly 9.0 Gy HDRBT fractions. In the III group we carried out the same radiotherapy regimen plus concorrent cisplatin (40 mg/m2 of body surface per week for five weeks). Results: All patients completed radiotherapy as planned and in the III group 96% patients received at least four cycles chemotherapy. Complete response (CR) was obtained at 88.8%, 90%, 96.6% patients in I, II, III groups correspondingly. Treatment related toxicity (particularly hematological) which was assessed according to CTC RTOG scale was significantly higher in the HI group. Conclusion: EBRT, HDRBt plus cisplatin appears to be safe and effective, although acute hematological toxicity is increased but appears to be acceptable.