title: Is the combination of mitomycin C, bleomycin and methotrexate effective as a neoadjuvant treatment for cervical cancer in women?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of the combination of mitomycin C, bleomycin and methotrexate as a neoadjuvant treatment in preparation for surgical treatment of cervical cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix (stages exophytic IB2 and IIB-IIIB) who had not previously undergone any treatment received mitomycin C, bleomycin and methotrexate in five sessions, once every four weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The objective response rate was approximately 81%, including 16 complete responses and six partial responses. Significant toxic effects were not observed. Responsive patients underwent surgery and remained without evidence of disease for the next 20 years. Unresponsive patients did not fare well and passed away within five years after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that this strategy may be effective for advanced cases, enabling patients to receive surgical treatment.
authors: Gynecology Division of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Pinheiro
authors: A K Cavalcante
authors: AK
authors: Pereira
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Soares
authors: E C
authors: EC
authors: Baracat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001761:Bleomycin; D016685:Mitomycin; D008727:Methotrexate