Adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IB neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the cervix.
BACKGROUND
Neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the cervix is a very rare and aggressive tumor which tends to metastasize early. This tumor is similar histologically to small cell carcinoma of the lung. Conventional treatment with surgery and/or radiation therapy has not been successful and has prompted the use of adjuvant chemotherapy regimens similar to those used for small cell carcinoma of the lung.


METHODS
Three patients with Stage IB neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the cervix treated with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of cisplatinum and VP-16, were identified. Analysis of the outcome of these three patients and a review of the current literature were performed.


RESULTS
Median survival was 28 months. Two patients received pelvic radiation therapy, one due to positive surgical margins and the other due to recurrent disease. Currently two patients are alive and free of disease at 17 and 61 months. The third patient developed hepatic and pelvic recurrence and died 30 months after her presentation and 18 months after recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
The outcome of our three patients and eight similar cases in the literature suggest an improved survival rate with adjuvant chemotherapy compared to conventional treatment with surgery and or radiation therapy.
Abulafia
O
O
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York, USA.
Sherer
D M
DM
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018278:Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin