Locally advanced cervical cancer: what is the standard of care?
OBJECTIVE
Carcinoma of the cervix remains a significant health problem for women worldwide. Locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) is a common presentation that has been extensively studied in the last three decades. This article reviews the standard of care and discusses current topics of clinical research.


RESULTS
A multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of cervical cancer has led to marked improvement in outcome. Main advances are with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, chemoradiation, and preventive vaccination. Concurrent chemoradiation with a platinum-based agent is the recommended treatment for LACC. Palliation with platinum agent remains the standard of care for inoperable patients who have metastatic or recurrent disease.


CONCLUSIONS
This is a review of published and ongoing studies testing multidisciplinary and medical management of LACC, with a focus on newer chemotherapeutic approaches. Optimal multidisciplinary treatment planning improves the outcome of each patient diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Al-Mansour
Zeina
Z
The University of New Mexico Cancer Center, 1201 Camino de Salud, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Verschraegen
Claire
C
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*