Point-counterpoint: what is the optimal trial design to test hyperthermia for carcinoma of the cervix? Point: addition of hyperthermia or cisplatin to radiotherapy for patients with cervical cancer; two promising combinations--no definite conclusions.
Randomized trials have shown that results of radiotherapy in patients with cervical cancer can be improved by combining the treatment with either cisplatin based chemotherapy, or hyperthermia. The studies on both the combination of radiotherapy with chemotherapy, and the combination on radiotherapy with hyperthermia, leave several important questions unanswered. At present, no definite conclusions can be drawn with regard to which combination results in the best therapeutic ratio. Therefore, on both ethical and scientific grounds, the next logical step would be to compare the two types of combined treatment to each other, and each combination with a treatment including all three modalities, in a randomized fashion.
van der Zee
J
J
University Hospital Rotterdam--Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, Hyperthermia Unit.
Koper
P C M
PC
Lutgens
L C H W
LC
Burger
C W
CW
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D011878:Radiotherapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin