title: Detrimental effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage-iiib carcinoma of the cervix - results of a randomized trial.
abstract: With the objective of testing the value of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage III B carcinoma of the cervix, we began in 1984 a randomized, phase III trial comparing BOMP chemotherapy followed by pelvic radiotherapy versus pelvic radiotherapy alone. Patients were stratified by age, extension of parametrial involvement, and lymphangiographic findings. Despite a higher complete response rate, the overall 5-year survival was significantly inferior in the combined therapy group (39% vs 23%, P=0.02). Toxicity was more pronounced in the chemoradiation arm and 4 patients developed fatal pulmonary complications. Patterns of failure were similar in both groups. The use of primary chemotherapy in advanced carcinoma of the cervix was detrimental to the patients and its use outside a protocol setting is discouraged.
authors.affiliation: INST NACL CANC,DEPT MED ONCOL,RIO JANEIRO,BRAZIL. MCGILL UNIV,DEPT ONCOL,DIV RADIAT ONCOL,MONTREAL H3A 2T5,QUEBEC,CANADA. INST NACL CANC,DEPT RADIAT ONCOL,RIO JANEIRO,BRAZIL.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Souhami
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Canary
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Araujo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pinto