Small-cell carcinoma of the cervix: fourteen years of experience at a single institution using a combined-modality regimen of involved-field irradiation and platinum-based combination chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and toxicity of a combined-modality regimen of irradiation with platinum-based combination chemotherapy in small-cell carcinoma of the cervix (SCCC).


METHODS
Thirty-four patients with SCCC were seen and treated at the British Columbia Cancer Agency between May 1988 and November 2002. Two protocols were used, SMCC (May 1988 to December 1995) and SMCC2 (January 1996 to November 2002). Both protocols used cisplatin, etoposide, and involved-field irradiation (essentially pelvis plus or minus para-aortics) with concurrent chemotherapy. In addition, SMCC2 included carboplatin and paclitaxel, and the para-aortics were irradiated routinely.


RESULTS
Thirty-one patients received either SMCC (n = 17) or SMCC2 (n = 14), and three patients did not (disease too extensive, n = 1; patient refusal, n = 1; and alternative regimen, n = 1). For the 31 patients treated on one of the protocols, the 3-year overall and failure-free survival (FFS) rates were 60% and 57%, respectively. The results were equivalent for SMCC and SMCC2. Radiologic stage was the only independent predictor for FFS (80% at 3 years for stage I and II patients v 38% at 3 years for stage III and IV patients). Distant failure (28%) was the most common cause of failure, with local failure occurring in 13% of patients. The switch to SMCC2 did not improve efficacy but did lessen the toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
SCCC can be successfully treated in approximately 55% of patients with a combination of irradiation and platinum-based chemotherapy. Disease extent predicts for chance of curability.
Hoskins
P J
PJ
British Columbia Cancer Agency, 600 West 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5Z 4E6. phoskins@bccancer.bc.ca
Swenerton
K D
KD
Pike
J A
JA
Lim
P
P
Aquino-Parsons
C
C
Wong
F
F
Lee
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D015996:Survival Rate; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*
D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin